[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49121-49122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25116]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 49121]]
Proclamation 7022 of September 16, 1997
Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1997
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Of all the dates in American history, one of the most
important is perhaps the least well-known--September
17, 1787. On that day, our Nation's Founders signed the
Constitution of the United States, a document that has
steadily grown in stature throughout the world as a
model for democratic government under the rule of law.
As with most human enterprises, the Constitution was
the product of compromise. The delegates to the
Constitutional Convention brought with them to
Philadelphia conflicting local and regional concerns,
differing viewpoints, fears of creating a government
that was either too powerful or too weak. When the
convention seemed close to dissolving with nothing
accomplished, Benjamin Franklin reminded his fellow
delegates that history would judge them harshly if they
failed in this great experiment of self-government: ``.
. . [M]ankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate
instance, despair of establishing governments by human
wisdom, and leave it to chance, war and conquest.''
But human wisdom did prevail. The delegates devised a
framework for democracy with an ingenious design of
checks and balances, broad protection of individual
rights, and a mechanism for amendment to ensure that it
would be able to respond to the ever-changing needs of
our people. This remarkable document has rightly earned
the world's admiration for its success in combining
structural solidity with practical adaptability--a
combination that has served our Nation through times of
rapid change as well as times of stability.
We can measure that success by the thousands of men,
women, and children who travel to our shores each year,
seeking a chance to live out their dreams. Many of them
know what life can be like without the blessings of our
Constitution, and their experience is a powerful
reminder to us of the importance of protecting the
Constitution if we are to preserve freedom for
ourselves and for the generations of Americans to
follow. We can also learn much from their deep desire
for American citizenship and their enthusiasm to
embrace not only its privileges, but also its
responsibilities--knowledge of and respect for our
laws, a willingness to exercise their vote, and
reverence for the fundamental American values of
freedom, tolerance, and equality.
But today American citizenship requires more. At the
Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia
this past April, I joined with Vice President Gore;
former Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush; General Colin
Powell; and other national and community leaders in
calling for a redefinition of American citizenship--a
definition that includes a profound commitment to
community service. Each of us must look into our own
neighborhoods and communities and reach out to help our
fellow Americans succeed. We can only fulfill America's
bright promise of freedom and opportunity by ensuring
that every citizen shares in that promise.
In commemorating the signing of the Constitution and in
recognition of the importance of active, responsible
citizenship to preserve its blessings for our Nation,
the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952
(36
[[Page 49122]]
U.S.C. 153), designated September 17 as ``Citizenship
Day,'' and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36
U.S.C. 159), requested the President to proclaim the
week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of
each year as ``Constitution Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
17, 1997, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through
September 23, 1997, as Constitution Week. I call upon
Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders
of civic, educational, and religious organizations, to
conduct meaningful ceremonies and programs in our
schools, churches, and other community centers to
foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the
Constitution and the rights and duties of citizenship.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-second.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 97-25116
Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P