[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 38 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Pages 1784-1785]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6917--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1996

September 17, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    At a time when many nations around the world are becoming ever more 
factionalized, the citizens of the United States are blessed with an 
overarching identity as Americans. The wisdom of our Nation's founders, 
as embodied in our Constitution, still binds us in a united community of 
purpose and ideals. Our Constitution invites us all to recognize 
ourselves as Americans first--not to de-emphasize our personal or 
familial roots, but to celebrate the diversity that adds strength to our 
national character. As Daniel Webster put it more than a century ago, we 
share ``One country, one constitution, one destiny.''
    This week we celebrate the Constitution of the United States of 
America. This remarkably flexible document has stood for more than two 
centuries as a unique achievement in the world of nations. The more we 
study and understand the Constitution, the more we grow, mature, and 
blossom as citizens. This process links us to the Nation's founders by 
making us part of their great adventure in democracy. By living our 
daily lives according to the founders' principles, we keep alive their 
vision and demonstrate its truth and wisdom.
    In order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, immigrants undertake 
a formal study of the guiding principles and institutions of American 
government. Those who choose to become citizens proudly welcome this 
responsibility. In fact, all of us would do well to emulate the zeal and 
interest shown by these newest Americans, who deeply appreciate their 
bond with the noble tradition of our Constitution. Therefore, on this 
occasion I call upon all Americans to consider the wonderful blessings 
of their United States citizenship and to look upon our Constitution

[[Page 1785]]

and celebrate the freedom and protection that it has always afforded us.
    In commemoration of the signing of our Constitution and in 
recognition of the importance of informed, responsible citizenship, the 
Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153), 
designated September 17 as ``Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution 
of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 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, 1996, as Citizenship 
Day and September 17 through September 23, 1996, as Constitution Week, 
and urge all Americans to join in observing these occasions with 
appropriate programs and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day 
of September, 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 twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:22 a.m., September 
18, 1996]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 19.