[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 39 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Pages 1887-1888]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6923--Gold Star Mother's Day, 1996

September 27, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Of all the many bonds between one human and another, the love of a 
mother for her children touches the deepest chords of passion and 
selfless devotion. A mother willingly gives her affection, her work, and 
her spirit to prepare her children to go forth into the world and make 
their own way. Few of us can appreciate the strength of this tie more 
keenly than a mother whose son or daughter has died while serving our 
country.
    Every Gold Star Mother has lived through this tragedy. She is 
experienced firsthand the shock of having a child taken away abruptly, 
at the brink of achieving his or her promise for fulfillment; she has 
suffered the terrible realization that years of love, nurturing, and 
teaching have been lost in a seemingly random event; and, ultimately, 
she has faced the need to rededicate her life in a way that will give 
continued meaning to the precious memory of her child's existence on 
earth.
    Instead of withdrawing into the privacy of their anguish, these 
courageous women channel their grief into constructive service, 
memorializing their children by living lives dedicated to helping 
others. Gold Star Mothers do this not for personal gain, but in the hope 
of making our world a better place.
    Whether comforting a disabled veteran in a VA hospital, counseling 
the family of a recently fallen member of our Armed Forces, or working 
for a community volunteer group, America's Gold Star Mothers make a real 
difference to those in need. They also serve our

[[Page 1888]]

national community by fostering and promoting patriotism and respect for 
our Nation, our flag, and our men and women in uniform. Their unselfish 
leadership helps strengthen communities and sets an example for people 
across our country.
    As we honor America's Gold Star Mothers and observe this special 
day, we also pray for them and for their families, that they may find 
peace and reconciliation in the knowledge that their work keeps alive 
the noble spirit of their sons and daughters. Having lost their most 
precious gift--their children--they deserve no less than our eternal 
gratitude.
    In recognition of the outstanding courage of our Gold Star Mothers, 
the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 
1895), has designated the last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star 
Mother's 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 Sunday, September 29, 1996, as 
Gold Star Mother's Day. I call upon all government officials to display 
the United States flag on government buildings on this solemn day. I 
additionally urge the American people to display the flag and to hold 
appropriate meetings in their homes, places of worship, or other 
suitable places, as public expression of the sympathy and the respect 
that our Nation holds for its Gold Star Mothers.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh 
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, 10:39 a.m., September 
30, 1996]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 1.