[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 237 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 89355-89356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29808]



[[Page 89353]]

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 237

December 9, 2016

Part V





The President





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Proclamation 9551--National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2016
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 237 / Friday, December 9, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 89355]]

                Proclamation 9551 of December 6, 2016

                
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Seventy-five years ago, Japanese fighter planes 
                attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, 
                destroying much of our Pacific Fleet and killing more 
                than 2,400 Americans. The following day, President 
                Franklin D. Roosevelt called on the Congress to declare 
                war and ``make it very certain that this form of 
                treachery shall never again endanger us.'' In that 
                spirit, Americans came together to pay tribute to the 
                victims, support the survivors, and shed the comforts 
                of civilian life to serve in our military and fight for 
                our Union. Each year on National Pearl Harbor 
                Remembrance Day, we honor those whose lives were 
                forever changed that December morning and resolve to 
                uphold the legacy of all who stepped forward in our 
                time of need.

                From the docks of Pearl Harbor to the beaches of 
                Normandy and far around the world, brave patriots 
                served their country and defended the values that have 
                sustained our Nation since its founding. They went to 
                war for liberty and sacrificed more than most of us 
                will ever know; they chased victory and defeated 
                fascism, turning adversaries into allies and writing a 
                new chapter in our history. Through their service and 
                unparalleled devotion, they inspired a generation with 
                their refusal to give in despite overwhelming odds. And 
                as we reflect on the profound debt of gratitude we owe 
                them for the freedoms we cherish, we are reminded of 
                the everlasting responsibilities we have to one another 
                and to our country.

                In memory of all who lost their lives on December 7, 
                1941--and those who responded by leaving their homes 
                for the battlefields--we must ensure the sacrifices 
                they made in the name of liberty and democracy were not 
                made in vain. On this solemn anniversary, there can be 
                no higher tribute to these American patriots than 
                forging a united commitment to honor our troops and 
                veterans, give them the support and care they deserve, 
                and carry on their work of keeping our country strong 
                and free.

                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, 2016, 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 89356]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of December, 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. 2016-29808
Filed 12-8-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P