[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9429 of April 27, 2016

Loyalty Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America endures because of the generations of our people who have
endeavored alongside one another, joining their voices and their efforts
to ensure our Nation lives up to its highest ideals. Driven by the
determination to continue making our society more just and more equal,
our work to fulfill our country's potential has always relied on our
willingness to see ourselves in our fellow citizens.
Our Nation has always been at its finest when guided by a spirit of
shared sacrifice and common purpose. It is that spirit that led a small
band of patriots to declare our fledgling democracy free from the grasp
of tyranny, that slaves and abolitionists carried in their hearts as
they marched forward on the long journey toward freedom, and that guides
the men and women who wear our country's uniform in their selfless
service. From the unlit paths of the Underground Railroad to the lunch
counters of Greensboro, the first streets draped in the colors of pride
to the highest Court in our land, we have seen throughout our history
that America is inexorably driven forward by those who commit themselves
to expanding our founding promise through extraordinary acts of courage
and heroism. We honor that legacy--that demonstrates that the forces of
hope and love of country are strong enough to overcome even our most
deeply entrenched obstacles--by resolving to carry it

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forward, by rejecting appeals to prejudice and division in our time, and
by drawing on the hopes and dreams that bind us.
While ours has always been a large and complicated democracy, full of
differing views and boisterous debates, our history also makes clear
that we are strongest when we find in our diversity a deeper, richer
unity, stemming from an overarching belief in the possibilities our
shared future holds. This Loyalty Day, let us remember that what defines
us as one American people is our dedication to common ideals--rather
than similarities of origin or creed--and let us reaffirm that embracing
this truth lies at the heart of what it means to be a citizen. As long
as we stay true to that mission and uphold our responsibility to deliver
a freer, fairer Nation to the next generation, a future of ever greater
progress will remain within our reach.
In order to recognize the American spirit of loyalty and the sacrifices
that so many have made for our Nation, the Congress, by Public Law 85-
529 as amended, has designated May 1 of each year as ``Loyalty Day.'' On
this day, let us reaffirm our allegiance to the United States of America
and pay tribute to the heritage of American freedom.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2016, as Loyalty Day. This Loyalty
Day, I call upon all the people of the United States to join in support
of this national observance, whether by displaying the flag of the
United States or pledging allegiance to the Republic for which it
stands.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day
of April in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA