[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 23 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Pages 1011-1012]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6903--Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1996

June 7, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    There is no better symbol of our country's values and traditions 
than the Flag of the United States of America. Chosen by the Continental 
Congress in 1777, it continues to exemplify the profound commitment to 
freedom, equality, and opportunity made by our founders more than two 
centuries ago. Our flag's proud stars and stripes have long inspired our 
people, and its beautiful red, white, and blue design is known around 
the world as a beacon of liberty and justice.

[[Page 1012]]

    Today, America's flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms, 
and churches, serving as a daily reminder of this Nation's past 
accomplishments and ongoing dedication to safeguarding individual 
rights. The brave members of our Armed Forces carry ``Old Glory'' with 
them as they fulfill their mission to defend the blessings of democracy 
and peace across the globe; our banner flies from public buildings as a 
sign of our national community; and its folds drape the tombs of our 
distinguished dead. The flag is a badge of honor to all--a sign of our 
citizens' common purpose.
    This week and throughout the year let us do all we can to teach 
younger generations the significance of our flag. Its 13 red and white 
stripes represent not only the original colonies, but also the courage 
and purity of our Nation, while its 50 stars stand for the separate but 
united States of our Union. Let us pledge allegiance to this flag to 
declare our patriotism and raise its colors high to express our pride 
and respect for the American way of life.
    To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint 
resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of 
each year as ``Flag Day'' and requested the President to 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 the President, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966 
(80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation designating the week in 
which June 14 falls as ``National Flag Week'' and calling upon all 
citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 1996, as Flag Day and the 
week beginning June 9, 1996, 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 flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes 
and other suitable places.
    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 Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor our 
Nation, 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 seventh day of 
June, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twentieth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., June 11, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
June 12.