[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 27, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 39773-39774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16433]



[[Page 39771]]

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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 7324--50th Anniversary of the Korean War and National 
Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2000



Executive Order 13160--Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Sex, 
Color, National Origin, Disability, Religion, Age, Sexual Orientation, 
and Status as a Parent in Federally Conducted Education and Training 
Programs
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 27, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 39773]]

                Proclamation 7324 of June 23, 2000

                
50th Anniversary of the Korean War and National 
                Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Fifty years ago, on June 25, 1950, armed forces from 
                North Korea shattered the peace in the Land of the 
                Morning Calm as they crossed the 38th Parallel and 
                launched an invasion of South Korea. The communist 
                forces advanced rapidly and, at the outset, appeared 
                close to easy victory. President Truman, recognizing 
                the threat to our South Korean allies and their 
                democracy, responded swiftly and decisively. Through 
                the United Nations Security Council, he marshaled 
                international opposition to the invasion and, on June 
                27, 1950, committed the first U.S. forces to combat in 
                South Korea.

                On some of the world's harshest terrain, through the 
                scorching heat of summer and the numbing cold of 
                winter, American troops fought with steely 
                determination and uncommon courage. As they gained 
                ground, pushing the North Koreans back toward the 38th 
                parallel, American families began to hope that our 
                troops would be home by Christmas. But in November, at 
                the Yalu River in North Korean territory, American 
                forces encountered a new and daunting antagonist: 
                Chinese forces had joined their North Korean allies, 
                and the tide of battle turned once again.

                Through months of attack and counterattack, falling 
                back and regaining ground, U.S. troops and our allies 
                refused to succumb to enemy forces. The war dragged 
                into a bloody stalemate and long, bitter talks ensued. 
                Finally, negotiators signed an armistice agreement at 
                Panmunjom on July 27, 1953. North Korea withdrew across 
                the 38th parallel, and the Republic of South Korea 
                regained its status as a free, democratic nation. For 
                the first time in history, a world organization of 
                nations had taken up arms to oppose aggression and, 
                thanks largely to the valor, skill, and perseverance of 
                almost 2,000,000 Americans, had succeeded.

                In later years, the Korean War would sometimes be 
                called ``the Forgotten War.'' But we have not 
                forgotten. We pay honor to the courage of our veterans 
                who fought in Korea and to the thousands who died there 
                or whose fate is still unknown. We recall the grief of 
                their families and the gratitude of the people of South 
                Korea. We remember that, in the Korean War, our 
                soldiers' brave stand against communism laid the 
                foundations of peace and freedom that so many nations 
                enjoy today.

                Over the next 3-1/2 years, Americans will gather to 
                observe the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and 
                honor our veterans. The Secretary of Defense will help 
                coordinate many of these events and will develop 
                commemorative and educational materials to help inform 
                the American public about our veterans' many 
                contributions and sacrifices.

                The Congress, by Public Law 106-195, has authorized and 
                requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, 
                and by Public Law 104-19 (36 U.S.C. 127), the Congress 
                has designated July 27, 2000, as ``National Korean War 
                Veterans Armistice Day'' and has authorized and 
                requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of that day.

[[Page 39774]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby urge all Americans 
                to observe the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War and 
                do hereby proclaim July 27, 2000, as National Korean 
                War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans 
                to observe these periods 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, 2000, in memory 
                of the Americans who died as a result of their service 
                in Korea.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third 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. 00-16433
Filed 6-26-00; 12:47 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P