WHEREAS, the safety and well being of children is a priority of this state; and

        WHEREAS, more than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds in the United States each year, equaling an average of one playground-related emergency room visit every two-and-one-half minutes; and

        WHEREAS, the National Program for Playground Safety has identified key areas that could help substantially reduce the number of playground injuries and keep our children SAFE-providing proper supervision, age-appropriate equipment, materials to soften falls to the surface and equipment maintenance; and

        WHEREAS, it is appropriate to set aside a week each year for direction and thought on how to keep our children safer on playgrounds; and

        WHEREAS, spring often is a time when children head to the playground and a large percentage of playground injuries occur from April through June; and

        WHEREAS, schools, parks and other public facilities are preparing for summer season and playground participants; and

        WHEREAS, everyone who cares about children should make the commitment that no Idaho child shall play on an unsafe playground; and

        WHEREAS, the National Program for Playground Safety has designated April 24^th – 28^th, 2007, as National Playground Safety Week;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim April 24^th through 28^th, 2007, to be

P L A Y G R O U N D   S A F E T Y   W E E K

in Idaho, and urge all citizens to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 28^th day of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE