[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 38 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Pages 1581-1582]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7595--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2002

 September 19, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Throughout American history, many men and women have bravely served 
in our military and sacrificed much to preserve our country and protect 
the democratic ideals that make our Nation a beacon of hope. Some of 
those who answered the call to service were captured in conflict and 
imprisoned by our enemies; and many remain missing in action.
    Each year on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor those 
Americans who were prisoners of war and recognize them for the courage 
and determination they showed in the face of unspeakable hardships. We 
also honor those who remain unaccounted for, especially remembering the 
sacrifices of their families who must courageously face each day without 
knowing the fate of their loved ones.
    Nearly 60 years after the end of World War II, the fate of more than 
78,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown. More than 
8,100 from the Korean War are missing, more than 120 from the Cold War, 
more than 1,900 from the Vietnam War, and three from the Gulf War. These 
Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our 
freedoms, will never be forgotten.
    On September 20, 2002, the flag of the National League of Families 
of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia will be flown over 
the White House, the Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and 
Veterans Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the 
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, 
U.S. military installations, national cemeteries, and other locations 
across our country. With this observance, we reaffirm our commitment to 
those who have suffered the horrors of enemy captivity, to those who 
have yet to return from battle, and to their

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families. We remain dedicated to resolving discrepancy cases, achieving 
the fullest possible accounting of our prisoners of war and missing in 
action, and bringing them home with the honor and dignity that they 
deserve.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 20, 2002, as 
National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon all the people of the 
United States to join me in honoring former American prisoners of war 
who suffered the hardships of enemy captivity, and in renewing our 
commitment to those still missing. I also call upon Federal, State, and 
local government officials and private organizations to observe this day 
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 
24, 2002]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 25.