[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62299-62300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24847]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62299]]


                Proclamation 9192 of October 10, 2014

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than 200 years ago, Brigadier General Casimir 
                Pulaski answered the call of our fledgling Nation as we 
                sought to secure liberty and justice. A Polish-born 
                leader, he fought and sacrificed his life for a country 
                not fully his own. He understood that the promise of 
                our new Nation was not about circumstance of birth, but 
                rather a set of beliefs and unalienable rights. Today, 
                we pay tribute to a hero of the American Revolutionary 
                War, and we celebrate the contributions that 
                generations of Polish-Americans have made to the 
                country for whose independence Pulaski took up arms.

                As a young man, Casimir Pulaski fought for Polish 
                sovereignty, defending his homeland from foreign 
                occupation with courage and bravery. After many years, 
                his confederation was overpowered, and he was exiled to 
                France where he met Benjamin Franklin. With Franklin, 
                Pulaski discussed America's struggle to throw off the 
                tyranny of an empire, and in 1777, Pulaski crossed the 
                Atlantic to stand with a small band of patriots.

                In America, Pulaski served with honor and distinction. 
                During battle, he aided George Washington and--because 
                of his leadership and skill on horseback--became known 
                as the ``Father of the American Cavalry.'' But 
                tragically in October of 1779, as Pulaski led his 
                troops during the siege of Savannah, Georgia, he was 
                mortally wounded. While he was not witness to the 
                conclusion of the war, his memory is forever enshrined 
                in the pages of its history.

                Pulaski's life represents only one chapter in the 
                Polish people's long and storied legacy of fighting for 
                freedom. This year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary 
                of an election where, for the first time, the people of 
                Poland had a choice. The culmination of centuries of 
                struggle, it marked the beginning of a new course for 
                Poland--one that has ushered in the return of democracy 
                and demonstrated the enduring strength of the ideals 
                our two nations share. As we also recognize the 15th 
                anniversary of Poland's membership in NATO, we are 
                proud to call Poland one of our strongest and closest 
                allies, and we are reminded that the blessings of 
                liberty must be earned and renewed by every generation.

                On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we reflect on the 
                beginnings of our relationship with Poland. In the 
                centuries since, Polish immigrants have sought the 
                opportunities in America that Pulaski helped secure, 
                and as they have, our nations' bonds of friendship have 
                grown stronger. As we renew our commitment to honoring 
                all those who fought for the freedom of our new Nation, 
                let us resolve to stand with developing democracies 
                around the world and with all people yearning to be 
                free.

                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, 2014, 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 62300]]

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

[FR Doc. 2014-24847
Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5