[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25655-25656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10457]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 87 / Tuesday, May 6, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 25655]]


                Proclamation 9115 of April 30, 2014

                
Law Day, U.S.A., 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than two centuries ago, patriots battled to 
                release America from the grip of tyranny. As these 
                brave citizens defended their right to shape their own 
                destiny, our Founders created a government of, by, and 
                for the people--rooted in the belief that just power 
                derives from the consent of the governed. It is a 
                system that can only function through the rule of law.

                This Law Day pays special tribute to the right to vote, 
                the cornerstone of democracy. Many Americans won the 
                franchise after generations of struggle, while others 
                gave their lives so their children and grandchildren 
                might one day enjoy what should have been their 
                birthright. Thanks to women who picketed the White 
                House and activists who marched on the National Mall, 
                our laws finally recognized a truth that had always 
                been self-evident--that every citizen should have a 
                voice in our democracy. Over the centuries, we have 
                made legal changes that eliminated formal voting 
                restrictions based on wealth, race, and sex and that 
                extended the right to vote to younger adults. Today, 
                our laws continue to protect this fundamental right, 
                laws like the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter 
                Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and the 
                Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

                Despite this hard-fought progress, barriers to voting 
                still exist, and the right to vote faces a new wave of 
                threats. In some States, women may be turned away from 
                the polls because they are registered under their 
                maiden name; in others, seniors who have been voting 
                for decades may suddenly be told they cannot vote 
                because they do not have a particular form of 
                identification. As we reflect on the trials and 
                triumphs of generations past, we must rededicate 
                ourselves to preserving those victories in our time. 
                Earlier this year, a bipartisan commission I appointed 
                recommended a series of common-sense reforms to protect 
                the right to vote, curb the potential for fraud, and 
                ensure no one has to wait more than a half hour to cast 
                a ballot. States and local election officials should 
                implement these recommendations. In addition, the 
                Congress should demonstrate its commitment to our 
                fundamental right by updating the Voting Rights Act.

                Let us mark Law Day by recognizing the institutions 
                that uphold the rule of law in America. Let us vow to 
                keep safe our founding creed. And let us remember that 
                opportunity requires justice, and justice requires the 
                right to vote.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 
                87-20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2014, as 
                Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon all Americans to 
                acknowledge the importance of our Nation's legal and 
                judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities, and to display the flag of the United 
                States in support of this national observance.

[[Page 25656]]

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

[FR Doc. 2014-10457
Filed 5-5-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4