[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 199 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 60835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26540]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 199 / Friday, October 13, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60835]]


                Proclamation 7361 of October 10, 2000

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year on October 11, we solemnly pause to honor the 
                life and achievements of Casimir Pulaski, a true hero 
                whose devotion to liberty has inspired the gratitude of 
                the American people for more than 200 years.

                Born to wealth and privilege in Poland, Pulaski 
                sacrificed both by joining his father and brothers in 
                the fight against tyranny and foreign oppression in his 
                beloved homeland. His battlefield exploits earned him a 
                leading position among Polish patriotic forces as well 
                as renown and admiration throughout Europe. After years 
                of braving insurmountable odds, however, Pulaski and 
                his fellow freedom fighters were overwhelmed by enemy 
                forces. Undaunted, he continued to battle for Poland's 
                freedom while in exile in Turkey and France.

                Impressed by Pulaski's military record and reverence 
                for freedom, Benjamin Franklin wrote from his post in 
                Paris to George Washington and succeeded in helping 
                Pulaski secure a commission in the Continental Army. As 
                a result of Pulaski's brave and able conduct at the 
                battle of Brandywine Creek in 1777, the Continental 
                Congress granted him a Brigadier General commission and 
                the command of all Continental Army cavalry forces. For 
                the next 2 years, General Pulaski contributed much to 
                the American cause in the Revolutionary War through his 
                battlefield expertise, mastery of cavalry tactics, and 
                extraordinary courage. On October 9, 1779, Pulaski was 
                gravely wounded at the siege of Savannah while leading 
                patriot forces against fire from enemy batteries. He 
                died 2 days later, far from his beloved homeland and 
                mourned by the brave Americans whose cause he had made 
                his own.

                Today, as both the United States and Poland enjoy 
                freedom and growing prosperity and look forward to a 
                bright future as friends and NATO allies, we remember 
                with profound appreciation Casimir Pulaski's resolve 
                and sacrifice and the generations of Poles and 
                Americans like him who valiantly fought to secure the 
                peace and liberty we enjoy today.

                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 Wednesday, October 11, 2000, 
                as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all 
                Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate 
                programs and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of October, 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. 00-26540
Filed 10-12-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P