[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 53825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26684]


      
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 16, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 53825]]

                Proclamation 6936 of October 10, 1996

                
 General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On October 11, we observe the 217th anniversary of the 
                death of a great military hero from American history, 
                General Casimir Pulaski. Every year on this date, 
                Americans and Poles together honor this valiant 
                soldier, who spent his life fighting for freedom on 
                both sides of the Atlantic. General Pulaski's life and 
                career are a vivid reminder of the strong historical 
                bonds between Poland and the United States. These bonds 
                have been forged not only by the millions of Polish 
                Americans who have helped make our country great, but 
                also by our two countries' shared dedication to the 
                principles of liberty and independence.

                Pulaski, born into a family of nobles, first fought 
                oppression at his father's side, battling the forces of 
                Prussia and Imperial Russia to preserve the liberty of 
                his Polish homeland. Exiled by the Russians, he was 
                recruited into the American colonies' Continental Army 
                by Benjamin Franklin and brought his bravery and 
                passion for freedom to numerous battles during the 
                Revolutionary War. General Pulaski sacrificed his life 
                for the cause of liberty during the siege of Savannah 
                as he protected American troops.

                In our own time, we have seen the Polish people follow 
                the example of General Pulaski and renew their 
                dedication to freedom--rebuilding their homeland in 
                spite of Nazi oppression and, later, communist tyranny. 
                Today, Poland has regained its sovereignty and 
                fashioned a sturdy representative democracy. For 
                Americans and Poles alike, Casimir Pulaski's sacrifice 
                for independence remains a model of courage and 
                commitment that can stir us to reach new heights of 
                democratic justice and liberty.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim Friday, October 11, 1996, as 
                General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage Americans 
                everywhere to commemorate this occasion with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities paying tribute to 
                Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who carry on his 
                mission.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of October, 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. 96-26684
Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P