[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18321-18322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9395]



[[Page 18319]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7182--National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
1999
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 13, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 18321]]

                Proclamation 7182 of April 9, 1999

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                ``We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve 
                our country . . . .'' With these simple words, Navy 
                Commander Jeremiah Denton, released in 1973 from North 
                Vietnam with his companions after the longest wartime 
                captivity of any group of Americans in our history, 
                summed up the courage, selflessness, and indomitable 
                spirit of generations of American prisoners of war.

                For more than two centuries, Americans have risked and 
                lost their own freedom to defend democracy, preserve 
                America's liberty and values, and protect our national 
                interests around the world. In Andersonville or along 
                the Yalu River, confined in Nazi stalags or enduring 
                torture in the Hanoi Hilton, our prisoners of war have 
                set an extraordinary example of valor, patriotism, and 
                devotion to duty in the face of enormous hardship and 
                adversity. The somber black and white POW/MIA flag 
                serves as a reminder of their sacrifice and symbolizes 
                our Nation's deep concern for and steadfast commitment 
                to these brave Americans and their families.

                But, however dark and trying the ordeal for our 
                prisoners of war, their sacrifices did indeed serve a 
                grand purpose. Inspired by their bravery in captivity, 
                our Nation has been resolute in its defense of liberty. 
                And, because of their sacrifice, the United States 
                today is strong, free, and prosperous, looking forward 
                to a future of limitless possibility.

                Today we pay special tribute to our Nation's former 
                prisoners of war and their families and express our 
                heartfelt gratitude for their many sacrifices. They 
                have embodied the ideals of a strong people and a free 
                Nation. They have represented America at its best, and 
                they have served a grateful Nation with honor, dignity, 
                and distinction. As we honor them, let us also keep 
                foremost in our thoughts and prayers Staff Sergeant 
                Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, and 
                Specialist Steven Gonzales of the United States Army as 
                they endure unjust captivity in Yugoslavia and as we 
                work for their safety and swift release.

                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 April 9, 1999, as National 
                Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to join me in remembering former American 
                prisoners of war who suffered the hardships of enemy 
                captivity. I also call upon Federal, State, and local 
                government officials and private organizations to 
                observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-nine, and of

[[Page 18322]]

                the Independence of the United States of America the 
                two hundred and twenty-third.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-9395
Filed 4-12-99; 11:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P