[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51183-51184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24781]
[[Page 51181]]
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Part II
The President
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Proclamation 7222--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1999
Proclamation 7223--Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week, 1999
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 21, 1999 /
Presidential Documents
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Title 3--
The President
[[Page 51183]]
Proclamation 7222 of September 16, 1999
Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1999
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The Constitution is perhaps our Nation's most cherished
document, the compass that has helped us chart
America's course toward freedom, human dignity, and
democracy for more than 200 years. Its text, born of
the genius and idealism of our Founders and hammered
out through hard effort and compromise by the delegates
to the Constitutional Convention, established a system
of government capable of responding to the pressures of
social and political change. It created a sacred
covenant that continues to bind all our citizens by a
set of principles based on the ideals of equality,
inclusion, and independence and by a delicate balance
of powers, rights, and responsibilities among citizens
and their State and Federal Governments. Today,
sustained by the efforts and sacrifices of generations
of Americans, the U.S. Constitution remains as strong
and vibrant a charter of freedom as it was at the time
of its signing 212 years ago.
The 20th century has witnessed a great wave of
migration of men and women to our Nation from all parts
of the globe, attracted by the freedom, justice, and
rule of law guaranteed by our Constitution. As they
assume the responsibilities of American citizenship,
they infuse our political process with fresh
perspectives and enthusiasm and prove to the world that
a diverse people can live in peace and progress. Today
we are a Nation with new hopes, new dreams, and new
people, but we are united by a devotion to the same
democratic ideals that have guided us for over 200
years.
As we reflect upon America's past, we recognize that
our country is still in the act of becoming the ``more
perfect union'' envisioned by our Founders. Every
generation of Americans has struggled to live up to our
Nation's promise, working to overcome forces of fear or
ignorance or prejudice that would seek to deny the
rights of others because of their gender, race,
religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The 21st
century may bring new challenges to the rights and
liberties of American citizens, but we can be confident
that the Constitution will still light a clear and
shining path of freedom and justice into the future.
During Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, let us
recognize the great efforts not only of our leaders,
but also of ordinary Americans who labor daily to
uphold and strengthen the ideals embodied in our
Constitution. Whether citizens by birth or choice, we
share the blessings guaranteed to us by the
Constitution and the responsibility of ensuring that
those blessings are extended to all our people equally.
In commemoration of the signing of the Constitution and
in recognition of the importance of active, responsible
citizenship in preserving the Constitution's blessings
for our Nation, the Congress, by joint resolution of
February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153), designated September
17 as ``Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of
August 2, 1956 (U.S.C. 159), requested that the
President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and
ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution
Week.''
[[Page 51184]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
17, 1999, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through
September 23, 1999, as Constitution Week. I call upon
Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders
of civic, educational, and religious organizations, to
conduct meaningful ceremonies and programs in our
schools, houses of worship, and other community centers
to foster a greater understanding andappreciation of
the Constitution and the rights and duties of
citizenship. I also call on all citizens to rededicate
themselves to the principles of the Constitution.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-fourth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 99-24781
Filed 9-20-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P