[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29633-29634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15028]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 12, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 29633]]

                Proclamation 6903 of June 7, 1996

                
Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                There is no better symbol of our country's values and 
                traditions than the Flag of the United States of 
                America. Chosen by the Continental Congress in 1777, it 
                continues to exemplify the profound commitment to 
                freedom, equality, and opportunity made by our founders 
                more than two centuries ago. Our flag's proud stars and 
                stripes have long inspired our people, and its 
                beautiful red, white, and blue design is known around 
                the world as a beacon of liberty and justice.

                Today, America's flag graces classrooms, statehouses, 
                courtrooms, and churches, serving as a daily reminder 
                of this Nation's past accomplishments and ongoing 
                dedication to safeguarding individual rights. The brave 
                members of our Armed Forces carry ``Old Glory'' with 
                them as they fulfill their mission to defend the 
                blessings of democracy and peace across the globe; our 
                banner flies from public buildings as a sign of our 
                national community; and its folds drape the tombs of 
                our distinguished dead. The flag is a badge of honor to 
                all--a sign of our citizens' common purpose.

                This week and throughout the year let us do all we can 
                to teach younger generations the significance of our 
                flag. Its 13 red and white stripes represent not only 
                the original colonies, but also the courage and purity 
                of our Nation, while its 50 stars stand for the 
                separate but united States of our Union. Let us pledge 
                allegiance to this flag to declare our patriotism and 
                raise its colors high to express our pride and respect 
                for the American way of life.

                To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, 
                by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 
                492), designated June 14 of each year as ``Flag Day'' 
                and requested the President to issue an annual 
                proclamation calling for its observance and for the 
                display of the Flag of the United States on all Federal 
                Government buildings. The Congress also requested the 
                President, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966 
                (80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation 
                designating the week in which June 14 falls as 
                ``National Flag Week'' and calling upon all citizens of 
                the United States to display the flag during that week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 
                1996, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 9, 1996, 
                as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate 
                officials to display the flag on all Federal Government 
                buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to 
                observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the 
                Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable 
                places.

                I also call upon the people of the United States to 
                observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from 
                Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by 
                Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor our Nation, 
                to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and 
                activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of 
                Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

[[Page 29634]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of June, 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. 96-15028
Filed 6-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P