[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48619-48620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23441]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 19, 1995 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 48619]]
Proclamation 6825 of September 16, 1995
Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1995
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Americans, unlike many other peoples, are linked to one
another neither by the confines of geography nor by
centuries of tradition. Instead, we base our
citizenship on a foundation of shared ideals and ideas,
bringing gifts from every country, race, and culture.
Those whose ancestors came to these shores long ago and
first-generation immigrants alike -- all are bound by
the unique set of principles set forth in the documents
that established and continue to define this Nation.
We find our heritage in profound words: in the
declaration that all men are created equal, endowed
with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness; in the invitation of liberty
extended to the tired, the poor, the huddled masses
yearning to breathe free; and in the pledge to remain
one Nation, under God, with liberty and justice for
all.
Perhaps the greatest expression of our national
identity is the United States Constitution. Adopted on
September 17, 1787, the Constitution describes the
parameters of our Government and the rights and
responsibilities that accompany American citizenship.
From its phrases we derive our precious rights to free
expression and religious liberty, and we assume the
responsibilities of electing our leaders and
participating in the workings of government.
Yet the genius of the Constitution is not simply in
forming ``a more perfect Union,'' but in framing an
ideal and providing a means for progress toward its
realization. As Abraham Lincoln once stated, our
Founding Fathers ``meant to set up a standard maxim for
free society, which should be familiar to all, and
revered by all; constantly looked to, constantly
labored for, and even though never perfectly attained,
constantly approximated, and thereby constantly
spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting
the happiness and value of life to all people of all
colors everywhere.''
Indeed, this bold experiment in self-government has
inspired more than 200 years of striving for true
justice and freedom. From the beginning, there was a
dissonance between the plain meaning of our creed and
the reality of American life, and constitutional
history reflects the vital changes wrought by
amendments, civil war, and tremendous social
transformations. Emancipation, women's suffrage, civil
rights, voting rights--all these began as the struggles
of citizens who joined together to push our Nation
toward the ideals enshrined in our Constitution and
whose efforts were encouraged by the Constitution
itself.
In honor of the paramount importance of the
Constitution in setting forth the fundamental doctrines
of our country and in recognition of the role each
American must play in bringing these words to life, the
Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36
U.S.C. 153), designated September 17 as ``Citizenship
Day,'' and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36
U.S.C. 159), requested the President to proclaim the
week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of
each year as ``Constitution Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
17, 1995, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through
September 23, 1995, as Constitution Week. I
[[Page 48620]]
call upon Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of
civic, educational, and religious organizations, to
conduct meaningful ceremonies and programs in their
schools, churches, and other community gathering places
to foster a better understanding of the Constitution
and the rights and duties of citizenship.
I further call upon the officials of the Government to
display the flag of the United States on all Government
buildings on September 17, 1995, in honor of
Citizenship Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twentieth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 95-23441
Filed 9-18-95; 12:35 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P
