[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28593-28594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14340]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 115 / Wednesday, June 17, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 28593]]

                Proclamation 8391 of June 11, 2009

                
Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the midst of a war for our Nation's independence, on 
                June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted 
                a flag as a symbol of our fledgling Union. The Congress 
                resolved that the flag be ``thirteen stripes, alternate 
                red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white 
                in a blue field, representing a new constellation.'' 
                For generations to come, this pattern would serve as a 
                compass bearing toward equality and justice for all.

                Our flag's journey has been long. It has seen our 
                Nation through war and peace, triumph and tragedy. It 
                flew above the walls of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, at 
                the outset of the Civil War. It stood on Mount 
                Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War 
                II. During the Civil Rights Movement, determined 
                protesters on the streets of Selma, Alabama, proudly 
                displayed its colors. Following the attacks of 
                September 11, 2001, Old Glory flew over the 
                southwestern wall of the Pentagon and the rubble of the 
                World Trade Center. Today, the men and women of the 
                United States Armed Forces bear our flag as they serve 
                bravely around the world.

                The flag is still more than a historical symbol: it is 
                part of our culture. In our schools children pledge 
                allegiance to our flag and recite the ideals upon which 
                our Nation was founded. Families sit on their front 
                porches under a billowing Stars and Stripes. And each 
                day as the flag is raised above military installations 
                and government buildings, we are reminded of the great 
                sacrifices that have been made in defense of our 
                Nation.

                The Stars and Stripes tells our Nation's story and 
                embodies its highest ideals. Its display reminds us of 
                America's promise and guides us toward a brighter 
                tomorrow.

                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 the President to issue an 
                annual proclamation calling for a national observance 
                and for the display of the flag of the United States on 
                all Federal Government buildings. In a second joint 
                resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 
                194), the Congress requested the President to issue 
                annually a proclamation designating the week during 
                which June 14 falls as ``National Flag Week'' and 
                called upon all citizens of the United States to 
                display the flag during that week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 
                2009, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 14, 2009, 
                as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate 
                officials to display the flag of the United States on 
                all Federal Government buildings during the week, and I 
                urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National 
                Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes at their 
                homes and other suitable 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, set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 
                211) as a time to honor America, celebrate our heritage 
                in public gatherings and activities, and recite 
                publicly the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the 
                United States of America.

[[Page 28594]]

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

[FR Doc. E9-14340
Filed 6-16-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P