[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 32983-32984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1346]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 11, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 32983]]

                Proclamation 8269 of June 6, 2008

                
Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The American flag has been our national symbol for 231 
                years, and it remains a beacon of freedom wherever it 
                is flown. Since the Second Continental Congress adopted 
                the Stars and Stripes as our flag in 1777, it has stood 
                for freedom, justice, and the resolve of our Nation.

                When Francis Scott Key saw the American flag flying 
                over Fort McHenry in 1814, he believed that liberty 
                would triumph. The flag that inspired Key to write our 
                National Anthem still energizes and emboldens the 
                American spirit today. As our Nation faces the 
                challenges of a new era, Old Glory reminds us that 
                liberty can prevail over oppression.

                Since the first days of our Republic, Americans have 
                flown the flag to show their pride and appreciation for 
                the freedoms they enjoy in this great Nation. Every 
                day, Americans pledge their allegiance to the flag of 
                the United States, and our troops carry it before them 
                as they defend the liberties for which it stands.

                On Flag Day and during National Flag Week, we remember 
                those in uniform whose courage and sacrifice inspire us 
                here at home. We also remember the rich history of one 
                of our oldest national symbols and reflect on our duty 
                to carry our heritage of freedom into the future.

                To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, 
                by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended 
                (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as 
                ``Flag Day'' and requested that the President issue an 
                annual proclamation calling for its observance and for 
                the display of the flag of the United States on all 
                Federal Government buildings. The Congress also 
                requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, 
                as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue 
                annually a proclamation designating the week in which 
                June 14 occurs as ``National Flag Week'' and calling 
                upon all citizens of the United States to display the 
                flag during that week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 
                2008, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 8, 2008, 
                as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate 
                officials to display the flag on all Federal Government 
                buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to 
                observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the 
                Stars and Stripes from their homes and other 
                appropriate places. I also call upon the people of the 
                United States to observe with pride and all due 
                ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence 
                Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as 
                a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in 
                public gatherings and activities, and to publicly 
                recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the 
                United States of America.

[[Page 32984]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                eight, and of the Independence of the United States of 
                America the two hundred and thirty-second. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 08-1346
Filed 6-10-08; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P