Parents across America are united by a common dream that their children’s lives will be healthier, happier and more promising than their own. On Child Health Day, we recommit ourselves to making that dream a reality, providing every child with the quality health care, childcare and education they need to thrive. I promise again.

Supporting children means first and foremost keeping them safe. The devastating truth is that guns are now the number one killer of children in the United States. To keep firearms out of the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves and others, and to protect innocent children, especially from the rampant gun violence in schools. This is just the beginning; I continue to call for a ban on assault weapons that limits access to these dangerous weapons on America’s streets and in our communities. Every child should live in fear. not.

At the same time, no parent should have to stay awake in the middle of the night trying to figure out how to pay for the medical and hospital care their child needs. One million children have health insurance since I took office, thanks to the American Rescue Plan and other major initiatives of my administration. My Inflation Reduction Act will also reduce health insurance premiums for 13 million Americans. To give hardworking parents more respite during the pandemic, I expanded the child tax credit. This is a measure estimated to have helped her reduce child poverty by more than 40% last year. This money was life-changing for families who had to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves and their loved ones. He also announced that in September, I will host his first conference on hunger, nutrition, and health at the White House in over 50 years to pave the way for free and healthy school meals for all children. announced its national strategy. Feed an additional 9 million children by 2032.

My Administration’s efforts to tackle the nation’s mental health crisis, especially among our youth, build on these important steps. It ranks second and has seen an increase in mental health emergencies among young people of all ages in recent years. Accordingly, my administration is making it easier for children across America to access mental health professionals through pediatricians’ offices. and investing billions of dollars in expanding access to mental health services and professionals in schools. educating states on how to take advantage of federal resources. Already we are making progress. As of July, the number of school social her workers has increased by 54% compared to the years before the pandemic. During the same period, the number of counselors increased by 22% and the number of school nurses also increased by 22%.

To protect children from the COVID-19 pandemic, my administration will distribute vaccines to children over the age of 6 months to make it safer for children and infants in all public spaces, including classrooms and day care centers. We support Offering affordable high-speed internet to every American, students no longer have to sit in fast food parking lots just to use Wi-Fi to do their homework. We’ve set aside funds to replace all lead pipes across the country, so no one cares about the quality of the water your kids are drinking. The Inflation Reduction Act will also replace thousands of diesel school buses with electric buses to keep children from inhaling dangerous fumes.

I know we have a lot to do to build a future worthy of our children’s hopes and dreams. We must ensure free, quality preschool for every child in America and further reduce the cost of health care for American families. I continue to push for tax cuts for middle-class parents and new laws to protect children from violence in schools and at home. I will do everything in my power to tackle the climate crisis and leave a healthier planet for future generations. To win the competition of the future, we must continue to build a healthier and safer nation for our children. Our family and our country depend on it.

Congress, by a joint resolution passed May 18, 1928 (36 USC 105), requested that the first Monday in October be designated as Children’s Health Day, and the President commemorated this day. requested to issue a proclamation. .

So now, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and law of the United States of America, mark Monday, October 3, 2022 as Children’s Health Day. I call on families, child health professionals, faith-based community organizations, and governments to help keep America’s children safe and healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby reach out to the year of our Lord, September 30, 2022, the 247th year of the independence of the United States of America.

Joseph R. Biden Jr.