[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57067-57068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24111]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 182 / Monday, September 21, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 57067]]


                Proclamation 9323 of September 16, 2015

                
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, 
                Constitution Week, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                At the culmination of months of deliberation, debate, 
                and compromise, on September 17, 1787, the Constitution 
                of the United States of America was signed. Colonists 
                came together in bold pursuit of a roadmap for 
                citizenship and a framework for our democracy--
                exemplifying the statesmanship and character that would 
                forever set our Nation apart. Yielding to the power of 
                shared ideals over stubborn opinion, our forefathers 
                upheld a belief that remains at the heart of America 
                today: that men and women of free will have the 
                capacity to shape their own destinies.

                These early patriots understood what it meant to be 
                American. They succeeded in crafting a document that 
                enshrines our enduring faith in the notion that being a 
                citizen is about more than circumstances of birth--we 
                are bound together by our beliefs, our unalienable 
                rights, and the idea that we must accept certain 
                obligations to one another and to future generations. 
                In what has become the supreme law of our land, and in 
                the ensuing amendments to it, we see a reflection of 
                our Founding Fathers' insistence that the task of 
                perfecting our Union is never finished--we must 
                constantly take up the critical work of bettering 
                ourselves and our society. These ideals have driven 
                America forward from her nascence on the cobblestone 
                streets of Philadelphia through today, and we continue 
                to shine as a beacon of hope and freedom to the rest of 
                the world.

                Each year on Citizenship Day, we welcome our country's 
                newest citizens and reaffirm our proud legacy as a 
                Nation of immigrants. In wave after wave through the 
                centuries, people from every corner of the globe have 
                come to our shores in pursuit of happiness and a better 
                life for themselves and their families. In their home 
                countries, our Constitution has stood out as an emblem 
                of equality and representation for all. Those of us who 
                have been Americans our entire lives have an obligation 
                to remember that we were strangers once, too, and 
                together we must work to extend the promise that 
                citizenship provides to all who seek liberty's light. 
                Since last year, we have redoubled these efforts by 
                creating the White House Task Force on New Americans--a 
                Government-wide effort tasked with better integrating 
                immigrants and refugees into American communities. The 
                Task Force released its strategic plan in April, which 
                includes efforts to raise awareness about the rights, 
                responsibilities, and importance of United States 
                citizenship. It is essential that we encourage 
                individuals who are eligible to take an important step 
                in their American journey and commit to becoming a 
                citizen.

                On this day and throughout this week, let us honor the 
                values for which the Framers stood by rededicating 
                ourselves to carrying forward the spirit first embodied 
                in their achievements--that what makes our country 
                great is not that we are perfect, but that we can face 
                our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to 
                remake our Nation to more closely align with our 
                highest ideals. With time, courage, and the 
                participation of our citizenry, we can pay tribute to 
                those who shaped the land we love today while working 
                to secure everlasting peace, prosperity, and 
                opportunity for all who call America home.

[[Page 57068]]

                In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and 
                in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold 
                the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 
                U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as ``Constitution 
                Day and Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of 
                August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that the 
                President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and 
                ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution 
                Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                17, 2015, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and 
                September 17 through September 23, 2015, as 
                Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and 
                local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, 
                and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies 
                and programs that bring together community members to 
                reflect on the importance of active citizenship, 
                recognize the enduring strength of our Constitution, 
                and reaffirm our commitment to the rights and 
                obligations of citizenship in this great Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-24111
Filed 9-18-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5-P