[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 32381-32382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15490]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 16, 1999 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 32381]]
Proclamation 7204 of June 11, 1999
Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1999
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Since its adoption in 1777 by the Continental Congress,
the Stars and Stripes has symbolized the promise of
America. This promise--of equality, justice under the
law, freedom from tyranny, and inclusion in a
government of the people--beckons immigrants to our
shores today just as it has for more than two
centuries. Each time the Stars and Stripes is raised
over our homes, public buildings, schools, or community
gathering places, it proclaims that our Nation's great
experiment in democracy is alive and well.
The stately design of the Stars and Stripes celebrates
America's diversity while proclaiming the unity of our
Nation. Its white stars, whose shifting constellation
has chronicled the growth of our Nation, are the
ancient symbols of a sovereign domain; they lie on a
field of blue that represents loyalty, justice, and
truth. Thus our flag describes the unique Republic
designed by our founders, in which States that vary
widely in geography, history, and culture are joined in
sustaining the common goals and ideals our Nation holds
dear. The Stars and Stripes reminds us that, wherever
we come from across our country, we are all first and
foremost Americans.
Today, as we stand at the threshold of the 21st
century, we have a special opportunity to renew our
flag's heritage and to honor the spirit of resilience
in our national character that it signifies. As part of
this effort, the White House Millennium Council's
``Save America's Treasures Project,'' created by the
First Lady, is helping to restore and preserve the
original Star-Spangled Banner at the Smithsonian's
National Museum of American History. This banner, ``so
gallantly streaming'' as the British navy retreated
from Baltimore Harbor after a failed assault on Fort
McHenry in 1814, is immortalized in the bold and
patriotic words of Francis Scott Key that now serve as
our National Anthem. From the fledgling Nation of Key's
time, defiantly opposing domination by European powers,
the United States has evolved into a Nation of
unrivaled influence in the world with an unparalleled
commitment to democracy and human rights. During Flag
Day and National Flag Week, we honor this incredible
journey and the bright future it has made possible.
To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress,
by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat.
492), designated June 14 of each year as ``Flag Day''
and requested the President to issue an annual
proclamation calling for its observance and for the
display of the Flag of the United States on all Federal
Government buildings. The Congress also requested the
President, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966
(80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation
designating the week in which June 14 falls as
``National Flag Week'' and calling upon all citizens of
the United States to display the flag during that week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14,
1999, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 13, 1999,
as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate
officials to display the flag on all Federal Government
buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to
observe Flag Day and National
[[Page 32382]]
Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their
homes and other suitable places.
I also call upon the people of the United States to
observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from
Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by
the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor our
Nation, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings
and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of June, 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-
third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 99-15490
Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
