[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51347-51348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25341]



[[Page 51345]]


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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 6923--Gold Star Mother's Day, 1996
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 191 / Tuesday, October 1, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 51347]]

                Proclamation 6923 of September 27, 1996

                
Gold Star Mother's Day, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Of all the many bonds between one human and another, 
                the love of a mother for her children touches the 
                deepest chords of passion and selfless devotion. A 
                mother willingly gives her affection, her work, and her 
                spirit to prepare her children to go forth into the 
                world and make their own way. Few of us can appreciate 
                the strength of this tie more keenly than a mother 
                whose son or daughter has died while serving our 
                country.

                 Every Gold Star Mother has lived through this tragedy. 
                She has experienced firsthand the shock of having a 
                child taken away abruptly, at the brink of achieving 
                his or her promise for fulfillment; she has suffered 
                the terrible realization that years of love, nurturing, 
                and teaching have been lost in a seemingly random 
                event; and, ultimately, she has faced the need to 
                rededicate her life in a way that will give continued 
                meaning to the precious memory of her child's existence 
                on earth.

                Instead of withdrawing into the privacy of their 
                anguish, these courageous women channel their grief 
                into constructive service, memorializing their children 
                by living lives dedicated to helping others. Gold Star 
                Mothers do this not for personal gain, but in the hope 
                of making our world a better place.

                Whether comforting a disabled veteran in a VA hospital, 
                counseling the family of a recently fallen member of 
                our Armed Forces, or working for a community volunteer 
                group, America's Gold Star Mothers make a real 
                difference to those in need. They also serve our 
                national community by fostering and promoting 
                patriotism and respect for our Nation, our flag, and 
                our men and women in uniform. Their unselfish 
                leadership helps strengthen communities and sets an 
                example for people across our country.

                As we honor America's Gold Star Mothers and observe 
                this special day, we also pray for them and for their 
                families, that they may find peace and reconciliation 
                in the knowledge that their work keeps alive the noble 
                spirit of their sons and daughters. Having lost their 
                most precious gift--their children--they deserve no 
                less than our eternal gratitude.

                In recognition of the outstanding courage of our Gold 
                Star Mothers, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 
                115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895), has designated 
                the last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star Mother's 
                Day'' and has authorized and requested the President to 
                issue a proclamation in observance of this day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, 
                September 29, 1996, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call 
                upon all government officials to display the United 
                States flag on government buildings on this solemn day. 
                I additionally urge the American people to display the 
                flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, 
                places of worship, or other suitable places, as public 
                expression of the sympathy and the respect that our 
                Nation holds for its Gold Star Mothers.

[[Page 51348]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-seventh day of September, 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 twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-25341
Filed 9-30-96; 10:39 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P