[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]



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  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