[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59517-59518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26331]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 200 / Thursday, October 16, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 59517]]


                Proclamation 7721 of October 10, 2003

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski sacrificed his life 
                on October 11, 1779, for America's independence and the 
                universal cause of freedom. His bravery in supporting 
                the American Revolutionary War is an inspiration to 
                individuals around the world who pursue peace and 
                freedom for all.

                Growing up near Warsaw, Casimir Pulaski knew firsthand 
                the horror of tyranny and oppression. In 1768, he 
                joined his father and fellow compatriots in rising 
                against injustice and fighting for Polish independence. 
                As a commander in the rebellion, the young Pole 
                demonstrated a devotion to freedom and great courage. 
                When the rebellion was quelled, Pulaski was exiled to 
                France, where he continued to pursue freedom with the 
                same spirit and determination that he had shown in 
                Poland.

                While in Paris, he met with the American envoy to 
                France, Benjamin Franklin, who discussed with him 
                America's struggle for independence. Pulaski then 
                volunteered his services to General George Washington. 
                In his first letter to General Washington after 
                arriving in America in the summer of 1777, General 
                Pulaski pledged that he ``came here, where freedom is 
                being defended, to serve it, and to live and die for 
                it.'' Impressed with General Pulaski's abilities and 
                battle experience, General Washington commissioned him 
                as a Brigadier General of the American cavalry. In May 
                1779, General Pulaski's new cavalry division 
                successfully defended the city of Charleston, South 
                Carolina. Several months later, in the siege of 
                Savannah, General Pulaski was mortally wounded while 
                trying to raise morale and rally his troops who were 
                under heavy enemy fire.

                General Pulaski's bravery and sacrifice helped lead 
                America to victory, and today, the Polish motto--``for 
                your freedom and ours''--echoes the great spirit of 
                this Polish and American hero. This day, we commemorate 
                General Pulaski's service to our Nation and draw 
                strength from his example. We also honor the sacrifices 
                of the many men and women of Poland and other allied 
                nations who persevere with us in the fight for freedom.

                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 October 11, 2003, as General 
                Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                commemorate this occasion with appropriate programs and 
                activities paying tribute to Casimir Pulaski and 
                honoring all those who defend the freedom of our 
                Nation.

[[Page 59518]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-26331
Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P