[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 11381-11382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6217]



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Part II





The President





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Proclamation 7531--Bicentennial Day of the United States Military 
Academy at West Point, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 7531 of March 11, 2002

                
Bicentennial Day of the United States Military 
                Academy at West Point, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For two centuries, the United States Military Academy 
                at West Point, New York, has trained, educated, and 
                inspired thousands of cadets to serve our Nation with 
                integrity, skill, and fortitude as members of our 
                military's officer corps. West Point emphasizes the 
                very highest standards of personal honor, academic 
                achievement, and public duty, preparing its graduates 
                for lives of patriotic commitment and distinguished 
                service. Since the school's beginnings, West Point 
                alumni have played an immensely important role in 
                protecting our national security and preserving 
                democracy around the world.

                Upon this 200th anniversary of the Academy's founding, 
                we celebrate West Point's great contributions to the 
                success and strength of America. We pay tribute to the 
                Academy's extraordinary tradition of valor, victory, 
                and sacrifice. This hallowed history is filled with the 
                names of soldiers who fought and sometimes died to 
                preserve and protect the founding principles of our 
                country, ensuring that we can live today in a free and 
                democratic Republic.

                On March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed an 
                Act of Congress establishing the United States Military 
                Academy at West Point, New York. Since its inception, 
                the institution has played a central role in the 
                training of America's future military leaders. And West 
                Point graduates have marked our history with courage 
                beyond the call of duty; integrity that brought honor 
                to themselves, their school, and their Nation; and 
                military skills that achieved victory after victory.

                Academy graduates have long fulfilled West Point's 
                noble tradition of selfless service to country. General 
                John J. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force 
                to victory in World War I. And in World War II, 
                Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Douglas 
                MacArthur, and George Patton proved again the 
                resourcefulness, bravery, and skill of West Point's 
                graduates, helping to lead the Allies to victory over 
                tyranny. In Korea and Vietnam, during Operation Desert 
                Storm, and now in Operation Enduring Freedom, West 
                Point graduates, like Generals Brent Scowcroft, Roscoe 
                Robinson, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and Franklin 
                ``Buster'' Hagenbeck, have continued to make 
                significant contributions and great sacrifices for 
                America and her people. And the graduates of West Point 
                continue to be prepared to make the greatest sacrifice. 
                We remember with deep respect and honor, the sacrifice 
                made by Academy graduate, Major Curtis Feistner, who 
                recently gave his life in the fight against terror.

                As part of the 200th anniversary of the United States 
                Military Academy, I encourage all Americans to reflect 
                on the Academy's incomparable history of contribution 
                to our country's national security and to remember the 
                West Point graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in 
                the defense of freedom. The Academy's role in 
                protecting our homeland and in shaping our next 
                generation of battlefield leaders deserves the 
                gratitude and respect of every American. I am pleased 
                to pay tribute to this noble school upon

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                the occasion of its historic anniversary; and I am 
                honored to be serving today as Commander in Chief of so 
                many of its fine graduates.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 March 16, 2002, as West 
                Point Bicentennial Day. I encourage Federal, State, and 
                local officials, as well as leaders of civil, social, 
                educational, and military organizations, to conduct 
                ceremonies and programs that celebrate the United 
                States Military Academy and the values it represents 
                and upholds.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-6217
Filed 3-12-02; 10:39 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P