[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41005-41006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19600]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 145 / Thursday, July 29, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 41005]]


                Proclamation 7213 of July 26, 1999

                
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In 1950, North Korea invaded its free neighbor to the 
                south, raising the specter of armed communist expansion 
                as a threat to democracies around the world. During the 
                next 3 years of bitter struggle, more than 54,000 
                Americans gave their lives for the cause of freedom. 
                With the signing of a negotiated armistice in 1953, the 
                Korean War became for a time the ``Forgotten War.'' But 
                each year on National Korean War Veterans Armistice 
                Day, we pledge never to forget the lessons of that 
                savage and costly conflict nor the members of our Armed 
                Forces who risked their lives to defend democracy, 
                human dignity, and the right to self-determination.

                The Korean War taught us that we have many allies in 
                our ongoing crusade for human freedom and democratic 
                rule. Under the auspices of the United Nations, 22 
                countries joined the United States and South Korea in 
                resisting communist aggression by sending troops and 
                providing medical support. Etched in stone on the 
                Korean War Veterans Memorial in our Nation's capital, 
                the names of these countries remind us that free 
                nations everywhere share a profound responsibility to 
                assist those who seek to defend themselves from the 
                aggression of brutal and oppressive regimes. The Korean 
                War also taught us the importance of vigilance in 
                recognizing threats to freedom and the need for 
                vigorous and decisive action in resisting such 
                encroachments. Though the dark shroud of the Cold War 
                has lifted from our world, new regional and ethnic 
                conflicts remain a threat to international peace and 
                human rights. Whether in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, or 
                elsewhere, we will continue to defend the same eternal 
                values for which so many courageous Americans fought in 
                Korea.

                The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127), has 
                designated July 27, 1999, as ``National Korean War 
                Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized and 
                requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 27, 
                1999, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I 
                call upon all Americans to observe this day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and 
                give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I 
                also ask Federal departments and agencies and 
                interested groups, organizations, and individuals to 
                fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on July 
                27, 1999, in memory of the Americans who died as a 
                result of their service in Korea.

[[Page 41006]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-19600
Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P