[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 50449-50450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25287]



[[Page 50447]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7123--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1998
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 182 / Monday, September 21, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 50449]]

                Proclamation 7123 of September 16, 1998

                
Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1998

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Two hundred eleven years ago, on September 17, 1787, 
                our Nation's Founders signed the Constitution that 
                established our system of government. This 
                extraordinary document, the product of passionate 
                debate and grudging compromise, was crafted by a 
                handful of individuals in the late 18th century; yet it 
                has safely charted America's course through more than 
                two centuries of enormous change and growth and has 
                served as the model for democratic governments around 
                the globe.

                The United States Constitution has endured in large 
                part because of its remarkable fairness and 
                flexibility. It created an inspired balance of powers 
                and responsibilities among the executive, legislative, 
                and judicial branches of government and among the 
                Federal Government, the States, and individual 
                citizens. It also provided for a system of amendment 
                that allows our democracy to correct past errors and 
                omissions and to respond to new challenges. As we mark 
                this anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, we 
                celebrate the effort, the dedication, and the wisdom of 
                our Founders and the blessings of liberty that resulted 
                from their labors.

                We also celebrate those who have struggled to move 
                America closer to fulfilling the first and fundamental 
                purpose expressed in the Constitution: ``. . . to form 
                a more perfect Union.'' Among these heroes were the 
                thousands who fought and died during the Civil War to 
                keep our Nation united and to banish slavery from our 
                land. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution is the 
                fruit of their sacrifice: ``Neither slavery nor 
                involuntary servitude . . . shall exist within the 
                United States.'' The courageous women and men who met 
                at Seneca Falls, New York, 150 years ago also set the 
                highest standards of citizenship. Recognizing that 
                women, too, are entitled to share in America's promise 
                of equality, they began a crusade that resulted in the 
                ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women 
                the right to vote. Likewise, we honor American citizens 
                of our century, black and white, who worked together, 
                faced danger together, and sometimes died together in 
                the struggle to end racial injustice in our society and 
                move our Nation closer to the constitutional ideal of 
                equality under the law. The 24th Amendment, 
                guaranteeing all citizens the right to vote, reflects 
                their spirit and commitment to true democracy.

                As we seek to form a more perfect union at home, we 
                also bear the responsibilities of citizenship in our 
                world community. Throughout our history, we have sought 
                to secure the blessings of liberty not only for 
                ourselves, but for all people everywhere. We remember 
                the Americans who fought two world wars against tyranny 
                and oppression and who triumphed in the Cold War 
                through faith in the promise of democracy. These men 
                and women cared so intensely about our Nation and their 
                fellow human beings that they were willing to forego 
                their own comfort and sometimes even to sacrifice their 
                own lives for the ideal of freedom envisioned by our 
                Founders.

[[Page 50450]]

                In commemoration of the signing of the Constitution and 
                in recognition of the importance of active, responsible 
                citizenship in preserving the Constitution's blessings 
                for our Nation, the Congress, by joint resolution of 
                February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153), designated September 
                17 as ``Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of 
                August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 159), requested that the 
                President 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, 1998, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through 
                September 23, 1998, 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, houses of worship, 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-eight, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-third.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 98-25287
Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P