[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 22, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 54925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27249]



[[Page 54923]]


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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 6943--Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 22, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54925]]

                Proclamation 6943 of October 17, 1996

                
Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During the dark days of World War II, nearly 100,000 
                soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army provided a 
                ray of hope in the Pacific as they fought alongside 
                United States and Allied forces for 4 long years to 
                defend and reclaim the Philippine Islands from Japanese 
                aggression. Thousands more Filipinos joined U.S. Armed 
                Forces immediately after the war and served in 
                occupational duty throughout the Pacific Theater. For 
                their extraordinary sacrifices in defense of democracy 
                and liberty, we owe them our undying gratitude.

                Valiant Filipino soldiers fought, died, and suffered in 
                some of the bloodiest battles of World War II, 
                defending beleaguered Bataan and Corregidor, and 
                thousands of Filipino prisoners of war endured the 
                infamous Bataan Death March and years of captivity. 
                Their many guerrilla actions slowed the Japanese 
                takeover of the Western Pacific region and allowed U.S. 
                forces the time to build and prepare for the allied 
                counterattack on Japan. Filipino troops fought side-by-
                side with U.S. forces to secure their island nation as 
                the strategic base from which the final effort to 
                defeat Japan was launched.

                This month, as we mark the anniversary of General 
                MacArthur's return to the Philippines, we acknowledge 
                the important role Filipino soldiers played in turning 
                back aggression, defending liberty, and preserving 
                democracy, and we extend to them our abiding thanks.

                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 October 20, 1996, as a day 
                Honoring the Filipino Veterans of World War II. I urge 
                all Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and 
                loyalty of Filipino veterans of World War II and honor 
                them for their contributions to our freedom.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventeenth 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. 96-27249
Filed 10-21-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P