[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57935-57936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24908]



[[Page 57933]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 7344--Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000
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  Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 187/Tuesday, September 26, 2000/
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 57935]]

                Proclamation 7344 of September 22, 2000

                
Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's Armed Forces have stood watch over our 
                freedom for more than two centuries. They have held 
                posts on lonely ridges, spent long days and nights at 
                sea, and faced danger in the skies. They have 
                sacrificed their youth, their time, and even their 
                lives to sustain the foundation on which our country 
                was built and to protect the democratic values that 
                keep our country strong and free.

                The mothers of these courageous men and women have also 
                bravely stood watch--in homes once filled with the 
                laughter of children--and waited for word from their 
                loved ones. When the guns of battle fell silent, many 
                mothers' homes were once again filled with the 
                boisterous commotion of their children returning from 
                distant lands. But the homes of Gold Star Mothers 
                remained silent. Their children had made the ultimate 
                sacrifice for our Nation, and Gold Star Mothers were 
                left with the profound sorrow of their heartbreaking 
                loss.

                But America's Gold Star Mothers rose above their 
                personal tragedy, and today they continue to stand 
                watch over our Nation. Reaching out to improve the 
                lives of others and to ensure that the noble 
                contributions of their sons and daughters are not 
                forgotten, they are powerful examples of service and 
                sacrifice for us all. With dignity, courage, and 
                compassion, they have worked to promote patriotism, 
                foster peace and goodwill, and extend a helping hand to 
                veterans and those in need. Their generosity of spirit 
                has touched the lives of countless Americans and made 
                certain that the selflessness their children 
                demonstrated in service to our country remains a 
                prominent part of our national character.

                For their steadfast devotion to duty and their 
                unwavering commitment to carrying on the proud legacy 
                of their children, we honor these Gold Star Mothers 
                each year. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 
                of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895), has designated the 
                last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star Mother's 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 Sunday, 
                September 24, 2000, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call 
                upon all government officials to display the United 
                States flag over government buildings on this solemn 
                day. I also encourage the American people to display 
                the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their 
                homes, places of worship, or other suitable places as a 
                public expression of the sympathy and respect that our 
                Nation holds for our Gold Star Mothers.

[[Page 57936]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-24908
Filed 9-25-00; 11:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P