[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 70917-70918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24997]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 198 / Thursday, October 13, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 70917]]


                Proclamation 9521 of October 7, 2016

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over two centuries ago, Polish immigrant Casimir 
                Pulaski crossed an ocean to take up the cause of 
                defending a young nation. Rising quickly to the rank of 
                Brigadier General in the Continental Army, he reformed 
                our cavalry, saved the life of General George 
                Washington, and helped secure our independence. Today, 
                we celebrate the legacy of liberty he forged and 
                reflect on the many ways Polish-American voices 
                continue to shape the unending story of our Nation.

                Spending his formative years in Poland laboring for his 
                home country's independence, General Pulaski came to 
                America with both an expertise in combat and a passion 
                for liberty that made him invaluable to our new 
                Nation's fight for freedom. Leading a legion of men on 
                horseback and working alongside General Washington, 
                General Pulaski achieved victory after victory. But he 
                would never see the results of his valiant efforts 
                fully realized--he succumbed to battle injuries on 
                October 11, 1779, giving his final full measure of 
                devotion in defense of the ideals we cherish.

                More than 200 years later, Polish Americans across our 
                country honor the spirit of General Pulaski through 
                their many contributions to our Nation and through 
                living the values that unite us all. The proud members 
                of the Polish-American community strengthen the rich 
                heritage of our country--many serve in our Armed 
                Forces, protecting the very freedoms General Pulaski 
                helped secure centuries before--and they reflect the 
                strong friendship that endures today between the United 
                States and Poland.

                On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we commemorate one of 
                our Nation's earliest embodiments of the belief that no 
                matter who you are or where you come from, those who 
                love this country can change it for the better. In 
                honor of General Pulaski's sacrifice and the important 
                role Polish Americans play in our country, let us 
                rededicate ourselves to defending our founding ideal of 
                liberty for all.

                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, 2016, 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 70918]]

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

[FR Doc. 2016-24997
Filed 10-12-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P