[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 53825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26684]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 16, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 53825]]
Proclamation 6936 of October 10, 1996
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1996
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On October 11, we observe the 217th anniversary of the
death of a great military hero from American history,
General Casimir Pulaski. Every year on this date,
Americans and Poles together honor this valiant
soldier, who spent his life fighting for freedom on
both sides of the Atlantic. General Pulaski's life and
career are a vivid reminder of the strong historical
bonds between Poland and the United States. These bonds
have been forged not only by the millions of Polish
Americans who have helped make our country great, but
also by our two countries' shared dedication to the
principles of liberty and independence.
Pulaski, born into a family of nobles, first fought
oppression at his father's side, battling the forces of
Prussia and Imperial Russia to preserve the liberty of
his Polish homeland. Exiled by the Russians, he was
recruited into the American colonies' Continental Army
by Benjamin Franklin and brought his bravery and
passion for freedom to numerous battles during the
Revolutionary War. General Pulaski sacrificed his life
for the cause of liberty during the siege of Savannah
as he protected American troops.
In our own time, we have seen the Polish people follow
the example of General Pulaski and renew their
dedication to freedom--rebuilding their homeland in
spite of Nazi oppression and, later, communist tyranny.
Today, Poland has regained its sovereignty and
fashioned a sturdy representative democracy. For
Americans and Poles alike, Casimir Pulaski's sacrifice
for independence remains a model of courage and
commitment that can stir us to reach new heights of
democratic justice and liberty.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 Friday, October 11, 1996, as
General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage Americans
everywhere to commemorate this occasion with
appropriate ceremonies and activities paying tribute to
Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who carry on his
mission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
first.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 96-26684
Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
