[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67767-67768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32895]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 1998 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 67767]]
Proclamation 7156 of December 4, 1998
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 1998
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Fifty-seven years ago, at 7:55 on Sunday morning,
December 7, 1941, Imperial Japan launched a surprise
attack on American forces at Pearl Harbor, thrusting
the United States into the crucible of World War II.
From the vantage point of history, we now know that the
events of that day would transform our Nation and the
course of world history.
Attacking in two waves, Japanese aircraft killed or
wounded almost 3,600 Americans--over 1,000 of them
aboard the battleship ARIZONA--sank or badly damaged
most of our Pacific Fleet, and destroyed or damaged
almost all U.S. aircraft in the area. In his historic
speech to the Congress on the following day, President
Franklin Roosevelt requested and the Congress approved
a declaration of war against Japan. With characteristic
optimism and confidence in the spirit of the American
people, he predicted that ``No matter how long it may
take us . . . the American people in their righteous
might will win through to absolute victory.''
President Roosevelt proved to be right, although he
would not live to see the ultimate triumph of freedom.
After almost 4 long years of struggle and sacrifice by
the men and women of our Armed Forces, sustained by the
prayers of their families and the efforts of determined
working men and women throughout our land who built our
Nation into the ``Arsenal of Democracy,'' the United
States and our allies prevailed over the forces of
fascism and oppression.
To understand and appreciate the magnitude of our
victory in World War II, we have only to remember Pearl
Harbor. We have only to remember the indomitable spirit
of the American forces there who, despite the death and
destruction engulfing them, individually and
collectively responded with courage and selflessness.
We remember the sailors who raced to their battle
stations and opened fire on the attacking Japanese
planes even as their ships were ablaze and sinking. We
remember the small, valiant band of Army pilots who
managed to take off during the second wave of bombing
and, though hopelessly outnumbered, shot down several
enemy aircraft. We remember the crew of the crippled
OKLAHOMA cheering their comrades on the NEVADA as she
made a desperate dash down the harbor channel to
safety. These heroes of Pearl Harbor were an
inspiration to our entire country--and they remain so
today. It is fitting that each year, on this day, we
remember them and give thanks for their courage, their
sacrifice, and their refusal to be defeated. Because of
them, and the millions of other Americans like them who
have served our Nation in uniform, America is free,
strong, and at peace.
To pay tribute to these heroes and to honor our solemn
obligation to those who sacrificed their lives to
defend our freedom that fateful Sunday morning, the
Congress, by Public Law 103-308, has designated
December 7, 1998, as ``National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim December
7, 1998, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I
urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the
Americans who served
[[Page 67768]]
at Pearl Harbor. I also ask all Federal departments and
agencies, organizations, and individuals to fly the
flag of the United States at half-staff on this day in
honor of those Americans who died as a result of the
attack on Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of December, 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-third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 98-32895
Filed 12-08-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
