[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 38407-38408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15861]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 38407]]

                Proclamation 7323 of June 16, 2000

                
Father's Day, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, Americans set aside the third Sunday in June 
                to pay special tribute to our fathers, who for many of 
                us are the first and most important men in our lives. 
                The role of father is a unique blessing and a profound 
                responsibility, one at the very heart of our Nation's 
                families and communities. When we are young, our 
                father's nurturing brings us comfort and security. As 
                we grow, our dads are our teachers and coaches--whether 
                we are learning to read or to play a sport--and they 
                instill in us cherished values of honor, courage, hard 
                work, and respect for others. Later, as adults, we look 
                to our fathers for advice and friendship. On all the 
                paths of life, our fathers encourage us when we 
                hesitate, support us when we falter, and cheer us when 
                we succeed.

                American fathers today must balance the demands of work 
                and family. As our growing economy has helped America's 
                families meet their financial needs, the pressure to 
                maintain that balance has increased. For the health of 
                our families, it is important that fathers have the 
                time, the support, and the parenting skills necessary 
                to fulfill their children's moral and emotional needs 
                as well as provide for their physical well-being. 
                Throughout our Administration, Vice President Gore and 
                I have encouraged fathers to take an active and 
                responsible role in their children's lives. This year, 
                in recognition of Father's Day, I am directing the 
                Department of Health and Human Services, along with 
                certain other Federal agencies, to develop guidance for 
                State and local governments, community providers, and 
                families on Federal resources that are available to 
                promote responsible fatherhood.

                On this first Father's Day of the 21st century, let us 
                honor our fathers, both living and deceased, for 
                believing in our dreams and helping us to achieve them. 
                Throughout the year, let us continue to reflect on the 
                importance of fathers--whether biological, foster, 
                adoptive, or stepfathers--as role models in our lives. 
                And let us express our gratitude for the many gifts 
                they bring to our lives by passing on their legacy of 
                love and caring to our own children.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, in accordance with a joint 
                resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36 
                U.S.C. 142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 18, 2000, 
                as Father's Day. I invite the States, communities 
                across our country, and all the citizens of the United 
                States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies 
                and activities that demonstrate our deep appreciation 
                and abiding love for our fathers.

[[Page 38408]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of June, 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. 00-15861
Filed 6-20-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P