[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 48129-48130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22881]



[[Page 48127]]

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Part II





The President





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Proclamation 8418--Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution 
Week, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 181 / Monday, September 21, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 48129]]

                Proclamation 8418 of September 16, 2009

                
Constitution Day And Citizenship Day, 
                Constitution Week, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The United States Constitution has withstood the test 
                of time for more than two centuries as our Nation's 
                charter of government and the guarantor of our 
                liberties. Signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 
                1787, this founding document reflects our core values 
                and enshrines the truths set forth in the Declaration 
                of Independence, that we are each endowed with certain 
                unalienable rights. As the beneficiaries of these 
                rights, all Americans have a solemn obligation to 
                participate in our democracy so that it remains 
                vibrant, strong, and responsive to the needs of our 
                citizens.

                To succeed, the democracy established in our 
                Constitution requires the active participation of its 
                citizenry. Each of us has a responsibility to learn 
                about our Constitution and teach younger generations 
                about its contents and history. By fulfilling civic 
                duties, engaging government at the local, State, and 
                Federal level, and volunteering in our communities, 
                individual citizens can better our country and breathe 
                life into the freedoms established in the Constitution.

                The right to participate in self-government, and the 
                many other freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, 
                inspire the dreams and ambitions of many inside and 
                outside our borders. These principles serve as a beacon 
                of hope for Americans and those who seek new lives in 
                the United States. Every day, we welcome new and 
                diverse stories and heritages into the great patchwork 
                of our Nation. United by our devotion to the 
                Constitution and to the civic engagement it inspires, 
                Americans remain committed to the fundamental 
                principles established over two hundred years ago.

                In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and 
                in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold 
                the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 
                U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as ``Constitution 
                Day and Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of 
                August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that the 
                President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and 
                ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution 
                Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                17, 2009, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and 
                September 17 through September 23, 2009, as 
                Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and 
                local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, 
                and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies 
                and programs that celebrate our Constitution and 
                reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our 
                great Nation.

[[Page 48130]]

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

[FR Doc. E9-22881
Filed 9-18-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P