Puddles the Clown
| National Clown Week By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation |
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Whoever has heard the laughter of a child or seen
sudden delight on the face of a lonely old man has
understood in those brief moments mysteries deeper
than love.
All men are indebted to those who bring such moments
of quiet splendor-who redeem sickness and pain with
joy. All across America good men in putty noses and
baggy trousers following a tradition as old as man's
need to touch gently the lives of his fellowman, go into
orphanages and children's hospitals, homes for the
elderly and for the retarded, and give a part of
themselves. Today, as always, clowns and the spirit
they represent are as vital to the maintenance of our
humanity as the builders and the growers and the
governors.
In the folklore of the world is the persistent claim
that the heart of a clown is sad, and that all the
gladness he provokes is simply a facade for the pain he
cannot reveal to the world. In the myth is the kernel
of reason: the clown leaves happiness where he goes,
and takes misery away with him.
Yet we cannot suppose there is real truth in the myth.
For surely the laugh-makers are blessed: they heal the
heart of the world.
To call public attention to the charitable activities of
clowns and the wholesome entertainment they provide
for all are citizens, the congress by a joint resolution
approved October 8, 1970 (Public Law 91-433), has
requested the President to designate the week of
August 1 through August 7, 1971, as National Clown
Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President
of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
the week of August 1 through August 7, 1971, as
National Clown Week. I invite the Governors of the
States and the appropriate officials of other areas
under the United States flag to issue similar
proclamations.
I urge the people of the United States recognize the
contributions made by clowns in their entertainment at
children's hospitals, charitable institutions, for the
mentally retarded, and generally helping to lift the
spirits and boost the morale of our people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this second day of August, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred seventy-one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the one
hundred ninety-sixth.
sudden delight on the face of a lonely old man has
understood in those brief moments mysteries deeper
than love.
All men are indebted to those who bring such moments
of quiet splendor-who redeem sickness and pain with
joy. All across America good men in putty noses and
baggy trousers following a tradition as old as man's
need to touch gently the lives of his fellowman, go into
orphanages and children's hospitals, homes for the
elderly and for the retarded, and give a part of
themselves. Today, as always, clowns and the spirit
they represent are as vital to the maintenance of our
humanity as the builders and the growers and the
governors.
In the folklore of the world is the persistent claim
that the heart of a clown is sad, and that all the
gladness he provokes is simply a facade for the pain he
cannot reveal to the world. In the myth is the kernel
of reason: the clown leaves happiness where he goes,
and takes misery away with him.
Yet we cannot suppose there is real truth in the myth.
For surely the laugh-makers are blessed: they heal the
heart of the world.
To call public attention to the charitable activities of
clowns and the wholesome entertainment they provide
for all are citizens, the congress by a joint resolution
approved October 8, 1970 (Public Law 91-433), has
requested the President to designate the week of
August 1 through August 7, 1971, as National Clown
Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President
of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
the week of August 1 through August 7, 1971, as
National Clown Week. I invite the Governors of the
States and the appropriate officials of other areas
under the United States flag to issue similar
proclamations.
I urge the people of the United States recognize the
contributions made by clowns in their entertainment at
children's hospitals, charitable institutions, for the
mentally retarded, and generally helping to lift the
spirits and boost the morale of our people.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand this second day of August, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred seventy-one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the one
hundred ninety-sixth.