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

 
Proclamation 9460 of June 10, 2016

Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Two hundred and forty years ago, a small band of patriots declared
independence, proclaiming in one voice that we are free to determine our
own destiny and carry out the work of self-governance. Driven by their
unyielding spirit and drawing inspiration from the Stars and Stripes, a
string of 13 Colonies later expanded to become a united 50 States.
Throughout our history, the American flag has steadfastly served as an
emblem of this great experiment in democracy. On Flag Day and during
National Flag Week, we pledge our allegiance to the banner that has
served as a guiding symbol on our Nation's journey, and we celebrate the
hope it inspires in the American people.
With hands over hearts, Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs have
long saluted Old Glory and honored its legacy. Our flag persists as a
powerful representation of freedom and opportunity. Waving high above
capitol buildings and courthouses, military bases and embassies across
the globe, and on the distant surface of the moon, it calls on each of
us to remember our obligations to the Republic for which it stands and
to carry forward the unwavering optimism that defines us. America
endures because of the courage of servicemen and women who serve under
this standard, and our veterans are forever draped in the red, white,
and blue when they are laid to rest. Wherever the flag lies or flies,
its message is clear: We rise and fall together, as one Nation and one
people.

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The American flag invokes pride in our citizens and hope in those who
come to our shores in search of a brighter tomorrow. In recognition of
the ways it has embodied our ideals and sustained our Nation, let us pay
tribute to the Star Spangled Banner and continue striving to create a
more perfect and indivisible Union--with liberty and justice for all.
To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint
resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492),
designated June 14 of each year as ``Flag Day'' and requested that the
President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and
for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal
Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution
approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President
annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14
occurs as ``National Flag Week'' and call upon citizens of the United
States to display the flag during that week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2016, as Flag Day and the week
beginning June 12, 2016, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate
officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during
that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National
Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call upon the people of the
United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from
Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89
Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in
public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of June,
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