[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19803-19804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11194]




[[Page 19801]]


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Part IX





The President





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Proclamation 6890--Law Day, U.S.A., 1996
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 86 / Thursday, May 2, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 19803]]

                Proclamation 6890 of April 30, 1996

                
Law Day, U.S.A., 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For more than three decades, we have set aside the 
                first day of May to honor the role our legal system 
                plays in maintaining our country's greatness, to 
                celebrate the precious freedoms our citizens have 
                enjoyed since America's beginnings, and to recognize 
                the crucial role of the law in ensuring our security 
                and prosperity. Today, as we confront the threats of 
                domestic and international terrorism and the violence 
                that plagues our neighborhoods and schools, it is more 
                important than ever for Americans to understand the 
                extraordinary legacy left to us by our Founders and to 
                reaffirm the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice.

                This year's theme, ``The Constitution: The Original 
                American Dream,'' underscores the centrality of this 
                precious document in our national life. The doctrines 
                set forth in our Constitution have made possible our 
                progress and unparalleled history of freedom. Written 
                more than 200 years ago, its measures were crafted by 
                people who believed in individual rights and who 
                understood that liberty must be the basis for our 
                system of laws. As we approach a new century, we can be 
                proud that our remarkable, dynamic Constitution, while 
                reflecting the mores and culture of its time, continues 
                to express America's profound commitment to human 
                dignity.

                We celebrate the Constitution as a model for other 
                nations around the world, as the purest expression of 
                American law, and as the ultimate authority for our 
                statutes, judicial decisions, and Executive actions. 
                But its power also depends on an informed, involved 
                citizenry. Each of us must take personal responsibility 
                for our actions and respect the rights of others. In 
                homes, schools, neighborhoods, and businesses we must 
                honor the rule of law and cherish the promise of 
                equality and opportunity for all people. Every American 
                must work to see that our Nation's legal system remains 
                a model for the rest of the world and that future 
                generations will continue to share its blessings.

                On this day and throughout the year, let us consider 
                the written instruments that have so profoundly shaped 
                our experience and pay tribute to all those who enforce 
                and maintain our legal and judicial systems--including 
                police officers, community policing volunteers, 
                lawyers, and members of our independent judiciary. 
                Their efforts help to ensure that Americans will always 
                enjoy individual liberties and a just society.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 
                87-20 of April 7, 1961, do hereby proclaim May 1, 1996, 
                as Law Day, U.S.A. I urge all Americans to recognize 
                the rule of law as the basis for freedom in our 
                democratic society and to learn more about the United 
                States Constitution. I call upon members of the legal 
                profession, civic associations, educators, librarians, 
                public officials, and the media to promote the 
                observance of this day with appropriate programs and 
                activities. I also call upon public officials to 
                display the flag of the United States on all government 
                buildings throughout the day.

[[Page 19804]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-11194
Filed 5-1-96; 11:51 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P