[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 37 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Pages 1773-1774]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6718--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 1994

September 14, 1994

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of America's participation in 
the largest single amphibious assault in history. Considered by many to 
be a turning point in the Second World War, the D-Day invasion at 
Normandy serves as a clear reminder of our Nation's long-standing 
commitment to fight for the principles of democracy and to defeat the 
forces of oppression.
    We must always remember the dedication and sacrifice of our service 
men and women

[[Page 1774]]

who, throughout our history, have risked their lives to preserve freedom 
for future generations. As a Nation, we are forever indebted to these 
outstanding Americans for their selfless devotion to duty. In expressing 
our gratitude, we should also pause to recognize those patriots who were 
held as prisoners of war and those who remain unaccounted for as a 
result of their heroic service.
    On September 16, 1994, the flag of the National League of POW/MIA 
Families, a black and white banner symbolizing America's missing, will 
be flown over the White House; the Capitol; the U.S. Departments of 
State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs; the Selective Service System 
headquarters; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and national cemeteries 
across the country. This flag is a powerful reminder to people 
everywhere of our country's firm resolve to achieve the fullest possible 
accounting of every member of the United States Armed Forces.
    On this day, we pay tribute to our missing service members and 
civilians. In their names, we reaffirm our national commitment to 
securing the return of all Americans who may be held against their will 
and to repatriating all recoverable remains of those who died in service 
to our country. That effort ranks among our highest and most solemn 
national priorities. America's heroes, and their families and loved 
ones, deserve no less.
    The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 196, has designated 
September 16, 1994, as ``National POW/MIA Recognition Day'' and has 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
observance of this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim September 16, 1994, as National 
POW/MIA Recognition Day. I ask that every American take time to honor 
all former American POWs, as well as those service members and civilians 
still unaccounted for as a result of their service to our great Nation. 
I encourage the American people to recognize the families of these 
missing Americans for their ongoing dedication to seek the truth and for 
their determination to persevere through many long years of waiting. 
Finally, I call upon State and local officials and private organizations 
to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of September in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and nineteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:46 p.m., September 14, 
1994]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 16.