[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48933-48934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24904]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 48933]]
Proclamation 7021 of September 15, 1997
50th Anniversary of the National Security Act of
1947
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The United States emerged from the crucible of World
War II to face a political and military landscape
changed forever by the events of that conflict. The
Soviet Union, a vital ally during the war, was fast
becoming an actively hostile and dangerous opponent.
And, as the most economically and militarily powerful
nation on earth, the United States bore the awesome
responsibility of preventing the onset of another and
even more destructive world war.
Recognizing these harsh new realities, and wise in the
hard lessons of recent history, President Truman and
America's other civilian and military leaders
determined to create the structures and programs that
would guarantee our national security and promote
lasting world peace. The result of their efforts was
the National Security Act of 1947. This single historic
piece of legislation created four extraordinary
institutions that continue to serve America superbly a
half-century later: the Department of Defense, the
United States Air Force, the Central Intelligence
Agency, and the National Security Council.
The complex task of coordinating the operations of
ground, sea, and air forces during World War II
demonstrated the need for unified direction of
America's Armed Forces in the postwar world. The
National Security Act answered that need by
establishing the Department of Defense. Under the
civilian control of the Secretary of Defense, and
fortified by the collective experience, knowledge, and
strategic guidance of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the
three military departments within the Department of
Defense--the Army, Navy, and Air Force--began to work
together as a powerful team to integrate the operation
and administration of all our Nation's Armed Forces.
Today, the Department of Defense has realized in large
measure the objectives stated in the National Security
Act. The Armed Forces and the unified commands have
achieved a remarkable degree of integration in
organization and operations and remain the best-
trained, best-equipped, and best-prepared fighting
force in the world. Our men and women in uniform stand
ready to preserve America's freedom and protect our
national interests whenever and wherever they are
threatened.
The Second World War also proved the critical
importance of air power to the defense of our Nation.
With the creation of the United States Air Force as an
independent armed service within the Department of
Defense, the National Security Act helped to ensure
America's mastery of the skies. In the subsequent 50
years, the courage and dedication of the men and women
of the United States Air Force have been a constant
source of pride and reassurance to the American people.
With equal devotion, the men and women of the Central
Intelligence Agency have enabled America to meet the
challenges of global leadership for the past half-
century. Providing ten Presidents and their
administrations with the strategic intelligence to make
informed decisions vital to the security of our Nation,
these dedicated public servants helped America to fight
and win the Cold War. Today, in a world no longer
burdened by superpower confrontation, they remain
vigilant in the face of more diffuse and complex
[[Page 48934]]
dangers: from aggression by rogue states and terrorism
to the spread of weapons of mass destruction and
international drug trafficking.
In creating the National Security Council, the National
Security Act of 1947 provided the President with an
invaluable forum for the consideration and coordination
of domestic, foreign, and military policies related to
America's security. Supporting the President, his
Cabinet, and his other close advisors with sound
judgment, analysis, and advice, the men and women of
the National Security Council can reflect with pride on
five decades of unparalleled service to our Nation.
Through the East-West confrontations of the Cold War to
the threshold of the 21st century, the National
Security Council has played a vital role in protecting
our Nation's security and in preparing us for the
challenges of the future.
As we observe the 50th anniversary of the National
Security Act of 1947, we pay tribute to the vision and
determination of a generation of American civilian and
military leaders. Working together, they established
the remarkable institutions we celebrate this week;
institutions that have helped to secure the peace and
prosperity that America enjoys today. The success of
their efforts and of the historic legislation enacted
half a century ago is reflected in an outstanding
record of achievement: nuclear war averted, the Cold
War won, and the nations of the world turning to
democracy and free markets.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
14 through September 20, 1997, as a time to commemorate
the 50th Anniversary of the National Security Act of
1947. I call upon all Americans to observe this
anniversary with appropriate programs and activities
celebrating the accomplishments of this legislation and
honoring the service and sacrifice of the thousands of
dedicated Americans who have strived to carry out its
mandate for the past five decades.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-second.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 97-24904
Filed 9-16-97; 9:04 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P