[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57561-57562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20578]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2022 
/ Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 57561]]

                Proclamation 10448 of September 16, 2022

                
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and 
                Constitution Week, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America is founded on the most powerful idea in 
                history--that we are all created equal. That idea 
                sparked our revolution, ignited a wave of change across 
                the world, and beats in the hearts of Americans today. 
                It is central to our Constitution, and citizenship 
                embodies a true faith and allegiance to give it full 
                meaning in our everyday lives. On this Constitution Day 
                and Citizenship Day, and during this Constitution Week, 
                we recommit to protecting and defending the very idea 
                of America.

                When our Founding Fathers came together nearly 250 
                years ago, they set in motion an experiment that 
                changed the world. They disagreed and debated but 
                ultimately came together to forge a new system of self-
                government--a system balanced between a strong Federal 
                Government and the States, held together by co-equal 
                branches and a separation of powers. America would not 
                be a land of kings or dictators; it would be a Nation 
                of laws--a Nation of order, not chaos; of peace, not 
                violence. Here in America, the people rule through the 
                ballot, and their will prevails.

                As we have seen throughout our history, though, nothing 
                about our democracy is guaranteed. America is an idea--
                one that requires constant stewardship. We have to 
                fight for it, earn it, and renew it with each 
                generation. That is why my Administration will do 
                everything in our power to uphold and defend our 
                Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, 
                and to protect the rights and freedoms that it promises 
                us all. That means we have to be firm, resolute, and 
                unyielding in defending the right to vote and ensuring 
                that each vote is counted. It is a sacred right from 
                which all others flow. But last year alone, nearly 20 
                States passed laws to make it harder to vote--not only 
                to suppress the vote, but to subvert it. I have 
                directed Federal agencies to promote voting access, and 
                I appointed top civil rights advocates to the 
                Department of Justice, which has doubled its voting 
                rights staff. We need the Congress to finally pass the 
                Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights 
                Advancement Acts to prevent voter suppression, protect 
                election officials, ban dark money, and end partisan 
                gerrymandering, preserving our democracy and the spirit 
                of our Constitution.

                As we reflect today on the promise of our Nation, we 
                also join millions of Americans in reaffirming the 
                rights and responsibilities of citizenship and 
                welcoming our new citizens, whose courage and faith in 
                America has brought them here from every part of the 
                world to start new lives. My Administration will keep 
                working to make the naturalization process faster and 
                more efficient and to build a more fair, orderly, and 
                humane immigration system for all. The commitment, 
                sacrifices, and dreams of new Americans have made us 
                strong since our Nation's founding, and we celebrate 
                their optimism, drive, and contributions.

                We are living at an inflection point in history, 
                engaged in a struggle between democracy and autocracy 
                at home and abroad. We have to show the world that 
                democracy can deliver. Today, this week, and always, it 
                is up to us all to stand for the rule of law, to 
                preserve the flame of democracy, and to keep the 
                promise of America alive.

[[Page 57562]]

                To honor the timeless principles enshrined in our 
                Constitution, the Congress has, by joint resolution of 
                February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 
                17 as ``Constitution Day and Citizenship Day'' and 
                authorized the President to issue a proclamation 
                calling on United States officials to display the flag 
                of the United States on all Government buildings on 
                that day. By joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 
                U.S.C. 108), the Congress further requested that the 
                President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and 
                ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution 
                Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 September 17, 
                2022, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and 
                September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week. 
                On this day and during this week, we celebrate our 
                Constitution and the rights of citizenship that 
                together we enjoy as the people of this proud Nation.

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

[FR Doc. 2022-20578
Filed 9-20-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P