[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 36667-36668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09822]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 87 / Friday, May 3, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 36667]]


                Proclamation 10742 of April 30, 2024

                
Law Day, U.S.A., 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over two centuries ago, our Founding Fathers created 
                the United States of America based on an idea: We are 
                all created equal and deserve to be treated equally 
                throughout our lives. Ours would be a government by and 
                for the people, enshrining in our Constitution, over 
                time, the right to vote and to have that vote counted--
                the threshold of our liberty and democracy. On Law Day, 
                we recommit to protecting this Constitutional right. We 
                reflect on the enduring power of ``We the People.'' We 
                rededicate ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of 
                perfecting our Union.

                Right now, we face a rare moment in the history of our 
                Union: Freedom is under attack at home and abroad, at 
                the very same time. Overseas, Russia is continuing its 
                brutal assault against Ukraine's sovereignty, 
                attempting to sow chaos throughout Europe and beyond. 
                Here at home, our democracy is facing threats from 
                waves of States that have proposed dozens of anti-
                voting laws to suppress the will of the people--
                reflecting the same dark motivations of the violent mob 
                that stormed the Capitol 3 years ago in an effort to 
                overturn a free and fair election.

                Simply put: We are in a battle for the soul of our 
                Nation--between those who want to pull America back to 
                the past and those who want to move America into the 
                future.

                I am determined to move our Nation forward to build a 
                future based on equality, decency, and dignity. In this 
                country, that effort begins and ends with the ballot 
                box. That is why I signed an Executive Order that 
                promotes access to voting--from making vote.gov 
                available in 12 languages to providing voter 
                registration services at naturalization ceremonies for 
                our Nation's newest citizens. I also signed into law 
                the Electoral Count Reform Act, which establishes clear 
                guidelines for certifying and counting electoral votes 
                so no mob can again believe that, through violence, it 
                can suppress the will of the people. The Department of 
                Justice has doubled its voting rights staff, increasing 
                their capacity to hold people accountable for voter 
                suppression. Further, the Department is promoting equal 
                access to justice to help every American have access to 
                quality legal aid. I continue to call on the Congress 
                to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act 
                and the Freedom to Vote Act. Passing these laws would 
                mean the Department can take action against 
                discriminatory voting laws before they go into effect. 
                It is critical to fully secure the right to vote in 
                every State.

                We also have to make sure every voice in America has an 
                opportunity to be heard because diversity is our 
                Nation's greatest strength. That is why I signed the 
                COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which helps State 
                and local law enforcement better track and identify 
                hate crimes. My Administration also convened the first-
                ever White House summit on combating hate-fueled 
                violence, working with community leaders across the 
                country to ensure hate has no safe harbor in America.

                At the same time, we are committed to defending freedom 
                around the world. The United States has brought 
                together a coalition of more than 50 nations to support 
                the brave people of Ukraine as they defend themselves 
                and their sovereignty against Russia's vicious 
                onslaught. We unified NATO--

[[Page 36668]]

                the greatest military alliance in the history of the 
                world--and have continued to defend liberty, democracy, 
                and the rule of law. Together, we have made it clear 
                that the United States stands up for freedom. We stand 
                strong with our allies. We bow down to no one--
                certainly not Vladimir Putin.

                America can and should be a Nation that defends 
                democracy, protects our rights and freedoms, and 
                pioneers a future of possibilities for all Americans. 
                History and common sense show us that this can only 
                come to pass in a democracy, and we must be its 
                keepers. Democracy begins with and will be preserved by 
                ``We the People,'' in habits of the heart and in our 
                character; in optimism that is tested yet endures; in 
                courage that digs deep when we need it; and in the 
                willingness to see each other not as enemies but as 
                fellow Americans. This Law Day, U.S.A., may we recommit 
                to protecting every American's right to vote as we 
                build a Union that is free and fair, just and strong, 
                and noble and whole.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, in accordance with Public 
                Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2024, 
                as Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon all Americans to 
                acknowledge the importance of our Nation's legal and 
                judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities and to display the flag of the United States 
                in support of this national observance.

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

[FR Doc. 2024-09822
Filed 5-2-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P