[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53877-53878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25957]



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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 7227--100th Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars



Executive Order 13138--Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory 
Committees
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 191 / Monday, October 4, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 53877]]

                Proclamation 7227 of September 30, 1999

                
100th Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As a free Nation, we must always remember that our 
                achievements in peace have been built on the sacrifices 
                of our veterans in war. We owe a profound debt to brave 
                Americans like the members of the Veterans of Foreign 
                Wars of the United States who knew their duty and did 
                it well--even at the risk of their freedom and their 
                lives, and we are proud to honor the VFW as it 
                celebrates its 100th anniversary.

                Each VFW member has given double service to our Nation 
                by answering the call to duty in the Armed Forces and 
                by joining the VFW. Whether raising the morale of our 
                men and women in uniform, helping veterans receive 
                their much-deserved benefits, providing scholarships 
                for our youth, or bringing hope and help to families 
                and communities in need, these veterans have upheld the 
                highest standards of service and citizenship. Perhaps 
                most important, they are the living reminder of the 
                countless men and women who have served and sacrificed 
                throughout past decades to defend our Nation and 
                preserve the liberties we hold so dear. VFW members and 
                their fallen comrades have carried the torch of freedom 
                both at home and in distant lands, and America remains 
                forever grateful.

                We have a solemn responsibility to ensure that all our 
                veterans enjoy the quality of life they deserve. On 
                Veterans Day last year, I was proud to sign into law 
                the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act. This legislation 
                improves a wide range of benefits and programs, 
                including an increase in compensation payments to 
                veterans with disabilities as well as benefits to the 
                survivors of Americans who died serving our country.

                The small groups of Spanish-American War veterans who 
                first banded together in 1899 could not have envisioned 
                that their numbers would grow to more than two million 
                strong, or that the VFW would come to have such an 
                enormous positive influence on the lives of generations 
                of veterans, their families, and communities throughout 
                our Nation. As we celebrate the centennial of the VFW, 
                we honor these veterans for all they have done to build 
                a proud past for our Nation and to ensure a brighter 
                future for us all.

                Recognizing the contribution of the Veterans of Foreign 
                Wars to the continued strength of our country and 
                success of our democracy, the Congress, by H.J. Res. 
                34, has called on the President to issue a proclamation 
                in observance of September 29, 1999, as the ``100th 
                Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.'' On this 
                day, let us reflect with pride on our great country and 
                remember with gratitude the contributions of the many 
                loyal and courageous veterans who have given so much of 
                themselves both at home and around the world to 
                preserve our freedom.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                29, 1999, as the 100th Anniversary of the Veterans of 
                Foreign Wars. I urge all Americans to recognize this 
                day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities.

[[Page 53878]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of September, 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. 99-25957
Filed 10-1-99; 9:23 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P