[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25147-25148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12217]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 1998 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 25147]]
Proclamation 7090 of May 1, 1998
Law Day, U.S.A., 1998
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In 1787, when the founders of this great Nation set
forth the guiding principles of our new democracy in
the Preamble to the Constitution, among their primary
goals was to ``establish Justice.'' These visionary
American leaders revered the law, understanding that
its proper practice would simultaneously free us and
protect us, enabling us to steer a steady course
between the opposing dangers of tyranny and anarchy.
Today, our country, built upon the foundation of equal
justice for all, is renowned throughout the world for
legally enshrining fundamental human rights.
Recognizing the importance of law to the life of our
Nation, we set aside one day each year to reflect on
our judicial system and to celebrate both the security
and the freedom it guarantees.
Our laws ensure that the rights set forth in the
Constitution and its Amendments are protected in our
everyday lives: our right to worship as we choose, to
speak freely, to vote in free elections, to be safe
from arbitrary arrest. Justice for all is central to
our democracy, and we must strive to ensure that all
Americans have equal access to the judicial system.
Unfortunately, each year many of our most vulnerable
citizens are denied the legal assistance they need
because they cannot afford it.
I am proud that our Federal Government is making an
investment to address this problem through the work of
the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). For almost 25
years, the LSC has funded local offices that give our
citizens access to the legal help they need to secure
child support, escape domestic violence, or fight
unscrupulous lenders. Last year alone, 4 million poor
Americans, the majority of whom were women and
children, were helped by LSC offices.
Without laws, our democracy would wither; without
access to our legal system, there can be no true
justice. We must affirm and strengthen our national
legal services system to ensure that all Americans have
an equal opportunity to enjoy the rights and liberties
guaranteed in our Constitution. As we observe Law Day,
let us reaffirm our faith in the rule of law and strive
to secure justice for all our people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, in accordance with Public Law
87-20 of April 7, 1961, do hereby proclaim May 1, 1998,
as Law Day. I urge the people of the United States to
consider anew how our laws protect our freedoms and
contribute to our national well-being. I call upon
members of the legal profession, civic associations,
educators, librarians, public officials, and the media
to promote the observance of this day with appropriate
programs and activities. I also call upon public
officials to display the flag of the United States on
all government buildings throughout the day.
[[Page 25148]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-second.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 98-12217
Filed 5-5-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
