[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63709-63710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25611]



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Vol. 77

Tuesday,

No. 200

October 16, 2012

Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 8887--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2012
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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                Proclamation 8887 of October 11, 2012

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, a Polish-born 
                patriot gave his life to advance the cause of American 
                independence. As a leader in the Continental Army who 
                fought shoulder-to-shoulder with men from Europe and 
                America alike, Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski 
                battled to extend the principles that were as dear to 
                him as they are to us--liberty, equality, and justice 
                for all. Today, we reflect on the proud legacy he left 
                behind, and we celebrate the lasting ways Polish 
                Americans have enriched our Nation.

                In his native Poland, Casimir Pulaski strove to secure 
                sovereignty for his country. Years of struggle came to 
                an end when his confederation was overpowered, leaving 
                him an exile to France. In Paris, General Pulaski met 
                Benjamin Franklin, who directed him toward another 
                fight for freedom taking place across the Atlantic.

                When Franklin wrote to General George Washington to 
                recommend Casimir Pulaski as a volunteer in the 
                American cavalry, he noted that Pulaski ``was renowned 
                throughout Europe for the courage and bravery he 
                displayed in defense of his country's freedom.'' Though 
                the soil he fought for was not his own, the founding 
                ideals of our young Republic were ones General Pulaski 
                shared with all who saw freedom's promise. For his 
                heroic actions on battlefields that spanned from 
                Brandywine to Charleston, Casimir Pulaski was promoted 
                to the rank of Brigadier General and became known as 
                the ``Father of the American Cavalry.'' Tragically, he 
                did not live to see the success of the revolution he 
                gave so much to advance. Today, we see the future he 
                helped create: a free and independent United States 
                standing proudly with its strong ally, a free and 
                independent Poland.

                On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor a hero who 
                helped secure our country's fate when it was most 
                fragile. As we recall his tremendous contributions, let 
                us also pay tribute to the countless Polish Americans 
                who followed his bold example. Generations have 
                contributed mightily to building the country we know 
                and love today, and they will continue to play an 
                important role in carrying us toward a more perfect 
                Union in the years to come.

                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, 2012, 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 63710]]

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

[FR Doc. 2012-25611
Filed 10-15-12; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3