[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63999-64000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26860]



[[Page 63997]]

Vol. 76

Friday,

No. 199

October 14, 2011

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 8736--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2011
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 199 / Friday, October 14, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8736 of October 11, 2011

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, America pays tribute to Brigadier General 
                Casimir Pulaski, a proud Polish patriot who embraced 
                our country's highest ideals. He fought for freedom on 
                two continents, earned the title, ``Father of the 
                American Cavalry,'' and guided his unit through some of 
                the toughest tests of the Revolutionary War, ultimately 
                laying down his life for our nascent country. On 
                General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor his memory and 
                celebrate the many contributions Polish Americans have 
                made to America's culture and history.

                As a young soldier, General Pulaski rose to defend his 
                homeland against foreign occupation. He fought 
                valiantly for Poland's sovereignty but was eventually 
                forced into exile, and it was in Paris that he met 
                Benjamin Franklin. Franklin told him of America's 
                aspirations, and Pulaski journeyed across the Atlantic 
                to join our struggle for freedom, equality, and 
                justice. Arriving in America in 1777, he served beside 
                General George Washington, who appreciated his military 
                experience. He later formed an independent corps of 
                cavalry known as the Pulaski Legion, which battled 
                bravely from the New Jersey coast to the siege of 
                Savannah, where he was mortally wounded.

                Pulaski's unit was a diverse collection of soldiers, 
                composed of Americans, Germans, Frenchmen, Irishmen, 
                and Poles. Their differences were many, but they were 
                united by a basic longing for human liberty. This same 
                longing--which moved Pulaski to make the ultimate 
                sacrifice--has come to define America and reflect our 
                lasting ties to the people of Poland. Today, as we 
                commemorate Casimir Pulaski's extraordinary life, we 
                recognize that his spirit lives on in all those who are 
                driven to pursue a freer, more just world.

                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 October 11, 2011, 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 64000]]

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

[FR Doc. 2011-26860
Filed 10-13-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P