[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8289--SEPT. 17, 2008

Proclamation 8289 of September 17, 2008
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 2008
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Americans are united by the ideals of equal justice, limited government,
and the rule of law. On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and during
Constitution Week, we remember the vision and determination of the
Framers to build a free society, and we celebrate the historical
document they created to achieve that goal.
More than two centuries ago, our Founding Fathers gathered in
Philadelphia and produced a charter that would promote justice and
preserve the liberty of all our citizens. The Founders established three
separate branches of Government with a system of checks and balances
among them. Ours is the oldest written constitution in the world, and
the American experiment remains the world's best hope for freedom.
The Constitution forged the American creed of liberty and equality and
has lifted the lives of countless individuals. Whether they are citizens
by birth or by oath, Americans share a great tradition of enjoying
liberty protected by a constitutional government of their choosing.
On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during Constitution Week,
Americans come together and recognize the blessings bestowed upon our
great Nation. On this occasion we celebrate the courage of the
Constitution's drafters and recommit ourselves to making the United
States a more perfect union.
In recognition of the signing of the Constitution and of Americans who
strive to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the
Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106, as
amended), designated September 17 as ``Constitution Day and Citizenship
Day,'' and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108, as
amended), requested that the President proclaim the week beginning
September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution
Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2008, as Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2008, as
Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as
well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to
conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and
reaffirm our rights and responsibilities as citizens of this great
Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of




[[Page 5350]]
122 STAT. 5350

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH