[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67767-67768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32895]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 67767]]


                Proclamation 7156 of December 4, 1998

                
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 1998

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Fifty-seven years ago, at 7:55 on Sunday morning, 
                December 7, 1941, Imperial Japan launched a surprise 
                attack on American forces at Pearl Harbor, thrusting 
                the United States into the crucible of World War II. 
                From the vantage point of history, we now know that the 
                events of that day would transform our Nation and the 
                course of world history.

                Attacking in two waves, Japanese aircraft killed or 
                wounded almost 3,600 Americans--over 1,000 of them 
                aboard the battleship ARIZONA--sank or badly damaged 
                most of our Pacific Fleet, and destroyed or damaged 
                almost all U.S. aircraft in the area. In his historic 
                speech to the Congress on the following day, President 
                Franklin Roosevelt requested and the Congress approved 
                a declaration of war against Japan. With characteristic 
                optimism and confidence in the spirit of the American 
                people, he predicted that ``No matter how long it may 
                take us . . . the American people in their righteous 
                might will win through to absolute victory.''

                President Roosevelt proved to be right, although he 
                would not live to see the ultimate triumph of freedom. 
                After almost 4 long years of struggle and sacrifice by 
                the men and women of our Armed Forces, sustained by the 
                prayers of their families and the efforts of determined 
                working men and women throughout our land who built our 
                Nation into the ``Arsenal of Democracy,'' the United 
                States and our allies prevailed over the forces of 
                fascism and oppression.

                To understand and appreciate the magnitude of our 
                victory in World War II, we have only to remember Pearl 
                Harbor. We have only to remember the indomitable spirit 
                of the American forces there who, despite the death and 
                destruction engulfing them, individually and 
                collectively responded with courage and selflessness. 
                We remember the sailors who raced to their battle 
                stations and opened fire on the attacking Japanese 
                planes even as their ships were ablaze and sinking. We 
                remember the small, valiant band of Army pilots who 
                managed to take off during the second wave of bombing 
                and, though hopelessly outnumbered, shot down several 
                enemy aircraft. We remember the crew of the crippled 
                OKLAHOMA cheering their comrades on the NEVADA as she 
                made a desperate dash down the harbor channel to 
                safety. These heroes of Pearl Harbor were an 
                inspiration to our entire country--and they remain so 
                today. It is fitting that each year, on this day, we 
                remember them and give thanks for their courage, their 
                sacrifice, and their refusal to be defeated. Because of 
                them, and the millions of other Americans like them who 
                have served our Nation in uniform, America is free, 
                strong, and at peace.

                To pay tribute to these heroes and to honor our solemn 
                obligation to those who sacrificed their lives to 
                defend our freedom that fateful Sunday morning, the 
                Congress, by Public Law 103-308, has designated 
                December 7, 1998, as ``National Pearl Harbor 
                Remembrance Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                7, 1998, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I 
                urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the 
                Americans who served

[[Page 67768]]

                at Pearl Harbor. I also ask all Federal departments and 
                agencies, organizations, and individuals to fly the 
                flag of the United States at half-staff on this day in 
                honor of those Americans who died as a result of the 
                attack on Pearl Harbor.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of December, 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. 98-32895
Filed 12-08-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P