[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41005-41006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19600]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 145 / Thursday, July 29, 1999 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 41005]]
Proclamation 7213 of July 26, 1999
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1999
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In 1950, North Korea invaded its free neighbor to the
south, raising the specter of armed communist expansion
as a threat to democracies around the world. During the
next 3 years of bitter struggle, more than 54,000
Americans gave their lives for the cause of freedom.
With the signing of a negotiated armistice in 1953, the
Korean War became for a time the ``Forgotten War.'' But
each year on National Korean War Veterans Armistice
Day, we pledge never to forget the lessons of that
savage and costly conflict nor the members of our Armed
Forces who risked their lives to defend democracy,
human dignity, and the right to self-determination.
The Korean War taught us that we have many allies in
our ongoing crusade for human freedom and democratic
rule. Under the auspices of the United Nations, 22
countries joined the United States and South Korea in
resisting communist aggression by sending troops and
providing medical support. Etched in stone on the
Korean War Veterans Memorial in our Nation's capital,
the names of these countries remind us that free
nations everywhere share a profound responsibility to
assist those who seek to defend themselves from the
aggression of brutal and oppressive regimes. The Korean
War also taught us the importance of vigilance in
recognizing threats to freedom and the need for
vigorous and decisive action in resisting such
encroachments. Though the dark shroud of the Cold War
has lifted from our world, new regional and ethnic
conflicts remain a threat to international peace and
human rights. Whether in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, or
elsewhere, we will continue to defend the same eternal
values for which so many courageous Americans fought in
Korea.
The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127), has
designated July 27, 1999, as ``National Korean War
Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized and
requested the President to issue a proclamation in
observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 27,
1999, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I
call upon all Americans to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and
give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I
also ask Federal departments and agencies and
interested groups, organizations, and individuals to
fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on July
27, 1999, in memory of the Americans who died as a
result of their service in Korea.
[[Page 41006]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-sixth day of July, 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. 99-19600
Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
