[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76627-76628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31222]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 76627]]


                Proclamation 9379 of December 4, 2015

                
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Nearly seven and a half decades ago, as dawn broke over 
                the island of Oahu, bombs broke through the sky as 
                Japanese forces launched an unprovoked attack on our 
                Nation--absorbing America into a conflict that would 
                change the course of human dignity and freedom. More 
                than 2,400 precious lives and much of our Pacific Fleet 
                were lost, yet the ensuing unification of our people 
                proved mightier than the attack that aimed to weaken 
                us. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay 
                tribute to the men, women, and children--military and 
                civilian--who lost their lives on December 7, 1941, 
                honor all who served in the wake of that infamous day, 
                and recognize the sacrifices today's service members 
                make to carry forward the inextinguishable torch of 
                liberty for generations to come.

                Reacting to the surprise attack, patriots from every 
                corner of our country answered the call to serve and 
                banded together in common cause. Sixteen million 
                Americans left behind everything they knew and everyone 
                they loved to fight for freedom far from home and 
                liberate a continent from the grip of tyranny. 
                Courageous individuals from all walks of life crossed 
                oceans and stormed beaches, uplifting a generation and 
                paving the way for our fiercest adversaries to become 
                some of our closest allies. In the example of those who 
                came forth in the months and years following the attack 
                on Pearl Harbor, we see an enduring truth: that no 
                challenge is too great when we stand as one people 
                committed to the ideals which the stars and stripes 
                symbolize.

                Seventy-four years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, we 
                endure as a Nation dedicated to affirming the inherent 
                dignity of every person--even in the face of 
                unspeakable violence. As President Franklin D. 
                Roosevelt said the day after the attack, ``the American 
                people in their righteous might will win through to 
                absolute victory.'' On this day, let us honor the 
                memory of all who gave their lives so that President 
                Roosevelt's words could be realized, and let us resolve 
                to uphold the legacy of our country, for which 
                generations of brave men and women have fought and 
                sacrificed.

                The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has 
                designated December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl 
                Harbor Remembrance Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                7, 2015, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I 
                encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of 
                remembrance and to honor our military, past and 
                present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I 
                urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, 
                groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United 
                States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those 
                American patriots who died as a result of their service 
                at Pearl Harbor.

[[Page 76628]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourth day of December, 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. 2015-31222
Filed 12-8-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P