[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 72 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19821-19822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9331]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 72 / Thursday, April 13, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 19821]]


                Proclamation 7289 of April 8, 2000

                
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, 
                2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                    As we stand at the dawn of a new century, we 
                reflect with pride on all that our Nation has 
                accomplished in the 224 years since we first declared 
                our independence. Today we enjoy unprecedented peace 
                and prosperity, and, as it has for generations, America 
                shines as a beacon of democracy, freedom, and 
                opportunity for peoples around the world.
                    Yet the blessings we rejoice in today were won at 
                great cost. Millions of young Americans who stepped 
                forward in times of crisis or conflict to defend our 
                Nation and uphold our values around the world 
                sacrificed their freedom and lost their lives. The 
                century just past will forever be known as the American 
                century, not only because of our economic strength, 
                military might, and technological prowess, but also 
                because of the character, determination, and 
                indomitable spirit our people demonstrated time and 
                again.
                    That character and spirit have never been more 
                evident than when Americans have been held captive as 
                prisoners of war. Suffering hunger, fear, isolation, 
                and uncertainty, stripped of their freedom and often 
                subjected to physical and psychological torture, 
                American POWs nonetheless continued to serve our Nation 
                with honor, dignity, and remarkable courage. For many, 
                the long, agonizing days stretched into years, and the 
                loss of freedom and the cruel separation from family, 
                home, and friends left scars that the passage of time 
                can never erase.
                    We owe a profound debt of gratitude to these heroes 
                who stood face to face with the forces of tyranny and 
                oppression, true to our country and to the spirit of 
                freedom even in captivity. We owe a debt as well to 
                their families, whose faith and fortitude have been an 
                unceasing source of strength to our Nation in many of 
                our darkest hours. As we observe this special day for 
                the first time in this new century, let us remember and 
                honor the sacrifices of America's prisoners of war and 
                their families; and let us keep faith with them by 
                remaining resolute in defending liberty and securing a 
                just and peaceful world for the generations to come.
                    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, 2000, 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, programs, 
                and activities.

[[Page 19822]]

                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand 
                this eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-9331
Filed 4-12-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P