[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 40215-40216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17287]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 131 / Friday, July 8, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 40215]]

                Proclamation 8691 of July 1, 2011

                
40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Forty years ago, the 26th Amendment to the United 
                States Constitution took effect, lowering the universal 
                voting age in America from 21 years to 18 years. 
                Millions of young Americans were extended the right to 
                vote, empowering more young people than ever before to 
                help shape our country. On this anniversary, we 
                remember the commitment of all those who fought for the 
                right to vote and celebrate the contributions of young 
                adults to our Nation.

                The right to vote has been secured by generations of 
                leaders over our history, from the women's groups of 
                the early 20th century to the civil rights activists of 
                the 1960s. For young people, the movement to lower 
                America's voting age took years of hard work and tough 
                advocacy to make the dream a reality. Yet, once 
                proposed in Congress in 1971, the 26th Amendment was 
                ratified in the shortest time span of any 
                Constitutional Amendment in American history.

                In the midst of the Vietnam War, our Nation bestowed 
                upon our young people the ability to change the status 
                quo and entrusted them with a new voice in government. 
                Today, young adults across America continue to exercise 
                this enormous responsibility of citizenship. Countless 
                young people are involved in the political process, 
                dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard.

                Ideas from young Americans are important to my 
                Administration, and they will help shape the future of 
                our Nation. We are committed to supporting and 
                developing young leaders from all beliefs and 
                backgrounds, and from urban and rural communities 
                alike. This year, I launched ``100 Youth Roundtables,'' 
                an initiative to facilitate substantive dialogue 
                between my Administration and young Americans. We 
                hosted a Young Entrepreneur Summit to listen to budding 
                entrepreneurs and better assess their needs. And this 
                summer, we are beginning a ``How to Make Change'' 
                series for young Americans from all walks of life who 
                are seeking change in their communities and our world.

                Young adults have been a driving force for change in 
                the last century, bringing new ideas and high hopes to 
                our national dialogue. Today, we remember the efforts 
                of those who fought for their seat at the table, and we 
                encourage coming generations to claim their place in 
                our democracy.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim July 1, 2011, as the 
                40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment. I call upon all 
                Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities 
                that honor young Americans, and those who have fought 
                for freedom and justice in our country.

[[Page 40216]]

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

[FR Doc. 2011-17287
Filed 7-7-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P