[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48379-48380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23462]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]


      


                        Presidential Documents 


    
                Proclamation 6720 of September 16, 1994

 

Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The Constitution of the United States of America is as 
                forceful and dynamic today as it was on September 17, 
                1787, the day it was signed by our Nation's Founders. 
                This hallowed document has endured, and, indeed, has 
                grown stronger over the 207 years since its adoption. 
                Today, more than ever, the Constitution stands as a 
                beacon for all who are dedicated to the principles of 
                government by and for the people.

                The Constitution provides a framework of both constancy 
                and flexibility in a Nation that is forever striving to 
                change for the better. But the Constitution is more 
                than simply the blueprint of our system of government, 
                more too than the guardian of our most sacred rights. 
                It is a challenge to every American. For it is only 
                through the daily actions of each one of us that the 
                ideals it promises are fulfilled.

                The Founders of our Nation pledged their lives, their 
                fortunes, and their honor. They did not take their 
                liberty or their new citizenship as Americans for 
                granted. Neither did the countless courageous men and 
                women who have sacrificed their lives to defend that 
                Constitution since then. Nor have the millions of 
                immigrants throughout our history who have braved 
                daunting obstacles to reach the welcoming freedom of 
                our shores. Following in our ancestors' great tradition 
                of responsibility, Americans retain a solemn duty and a 
                profound obligation to ensure that the world's boldest 
                experiment in self-government continues to thrive and 
                prosper.

                Each of us has the right and the responsibility to be 
                educated and informed, to vote for those who represent 
                us, and to participate at every level of government. 
                This week, let us give thanks for the freedoms we 
                cherish and enjoy. Let us pause in our busy lives to 
                learn more about and to appreciate our roles as 
                American citizens. While our Constitution may set forth 
                rights and liberties, only our citizens can maintain 
                and guarantee them. Ours has never been an easy task, 
                but it is one in which we will surely continue to 
                succeed.

                In recognition of the paramount importance of the 
                Constitution to our Nation, and of all who, by birth or 
                by naturalization, have attained the status of United 
                States citizenship, the Congress by joint resolution on 
                February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. section 153), designated 
                September 17 as Citizenship Day, and by joint 
                resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. section 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, 1994, as ``Citizenship Day,'' and the week 
                beginning September 17 through September 23, 1994, as 
                ``Constitution Week.'' I 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 
                of 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, 1994, 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-four, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and nineteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-23462
Filed 9-19-94; 11:09 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P