[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 37 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Pages 1783-1784]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6720--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1994

September 16, 1994

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The Constitution of the United States of America is as forceful and 
dynamic today as it was on September 17, 1787, the day it was signed by 
our Nation's Founders. This hallowed document has endured, and, indeed, 
has grown stronger over the 207 years since its adoption. Today, more 
than ever, the Constitution stands as a beacon for all who are dedicated 
to the principles of government by and for the people.
    The Constitution provides a framework of both constancy and 
flexibility in a Nation that

[[Page 1784]]

is forever striving to change for the better. But the Constitution is 
more than simply the blueprint of our system of government, more too 
than the guardian of our most sacred rights. It is a challenge to every 
American. For it is only through the daily actions of each one of us 
that the ideals it promises are fulfilled.
    The Founders of our Nation pledged their lives, their fortunes, and 
their honor. They did not take their liberty or their new citizenship as 
Americans for granted. Neither did the countless courageous men and 
women who have sacrificed their lives to defend that Constitution since 
then. Nor have the millions of immigrants throughout our history who 
have braved daunting obstacles to reach the welcoming freedom of our 
shores. Following in our ancestors' great tradition of responsibility, 
Americans retain a solemn duty and a profound obligation to ensure that 
the world's boldest experiment in self-government continues to thrive 
and prosper.
    Each of us has the right and the responsibility to be educated and 
informed, to vote for those who represent us, and to participate at 
every level of government. This week, let us give thanks for the 
freedoms we cherish and enjoy. Let us pause in our busy lives to learn 
more about and to appreciate our roles as American citizens. While our 
Constitution may set forth rights and liberties, only our citizens can 
maintain and guarantee them. Ours has never been an easy task, but it is 
one in which we will surely continue to succeed.
    In recognition of the paramount importance of the Constitution to 
our Nation, and of all who, by birth or by naturalization, have attained 
the status of United States citizenship, the Congress by joint 
resolution on February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. section 153), designated 
September 17 as Citizenship Day, and by joint resolution of August 2, 
1956 (36 U.S.C. section 159), requested the President to proclaim the 
week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as 
Constitution Week.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 1994, as 
``Citizenship Day,'' and the week beginning September 17 through 
September 23, 1994, as ``Constitution Week.'' I call upon Federal, 
State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, educational, 
and religious organizations, to conduct meaningful ceremonies and 
programs in their schools, churches, and other community gathering 
places to foster a better understanding of the Constitution and of the 
rights and duties of citizenship.
    I further call upon the officials of the Government to display the 
flag of the United States on all Government buildings on September 17, 
1994, in honor of Citizenship Day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth 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, 11:09 a.m., September 
19, 1994]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 20.