[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18289-18290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 93-9360]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]
Presidential Documents
Proclamation 6669 of April 13, 1994
251st Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas
Jefferson
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
``I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and
untried changes in laws and constitutions,'' Thomas
Jefferson once wrote, ``But . . . laws and institutions
must go hand in hand with the progress of the human
mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened,
as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and
manners and opinions change . . . institutions must
advance also, and keep pace with the times.''
These words have challenged and inspired the countless
millions who have come to America's capital and have
seen them inscribed on the marble wall of the Jefferson
Memorial. Jefferson's statue presides nobly over
America's capital city, a steadfast and enduring
reminder of the democratic government that he helped to
found. Yet unlike his unchanging visage, our
democracy's institutions have proved to be remarkably
agile in governing, maturing as society has progressed,
evolving as human knowledge and technology have
advanced--far beyond Jefferson's imagining. Of all the
truths Jefferson knew to be self-evident, of all the
freedoms he held dear, this understanding of the need
for political and social innovation is perhaps his most
lasting gift. He helped to endow us with the freedom to
embrace change.
As we complete the year celebrating the 250th
anniversary of his birth, it is entirely fitting that
we again pause to reflect upon both the contradictions
of Jefferson's life and the meaning of his legacy. Far
from the sculpted perfection of his statue, Jefferson
acknowledged, even anguished about, his failings as a
leader. In expressing his fervent hope that we would
one day purge the evil of slavery from our land, he
wrote, ``I tremble for my country when I reflect that
God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.''
Despite his flaws, Jefferson imbued us with his
powerful faith that justice would ultimately transcend
our seeming inability to do what we know is right. And
I believe he would rejoice to know how far America has
come toward winning equal justice under law.
In the United States, we must constantly relearn his
teaching that change is both an inevitable and
essential part of safeguarding our precious freedoms.
We recognize, as he did in his day, that our democracy
must continue to develop, that we must shape our
politics and policies to meet the rapidly shifting
needs of our people and to embrace the better angels of
our nature. On this day, we remember that our Nation is
an ongoing experiment, a new and fragile spirit,
requiring our eternal care and vigilance if it is to
continue to grow and prosper and shine.
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 Wednesday, April 13, 1994,
as the 251st Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas
Jefferson. I encourage all Americans to reflect upon
his words and deeds and to rededicate themselves to
making our Nation one of which he would be proud.
Additionally, I call upon the people of the United
States to observe this occasion with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and eighteenth.
(Presidential Sig.)>
[FR Doc. 93-9360
Filed 4-14-94; 11:11 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
