[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 1996)]
[Pages 2037-2038]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6936--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1996

October 10, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    On October 11, we observe the 217th anniversary of the death of a 
great military hero from American history, General Casimir Pulaski. 
Every year on this date, Americans and Poles together honor this valiant 
soldier, who spent his life fighting for freedom on both sides of the 
Atlantic. General Pulaski's life and career are a vivid reminder of the 
strong historical bonds between Poland and the United States. These 
bonds have been forged not only by the millions of Polish Americans who 
have helped make our country great, but also by our two countries' 
shared dedication to the principles of liberty and independence.
    Pulaski, born into a family of nobles, first fought oppression at 
his father's side, battling the forces of Prussia and Imperial Russia to 
preserve the liberty of his Polish homeland. Exiled by the Russians, he 
was recruited into the American colonies' Continental Army by Benjamin 
Franklin and brought his bravery and passion for freedom to numerous 
battles during the Revolutionary War. General Pulaski sacrificed his 
life for the cause of liberty during the siege of Savannah as he 
protected American troops.
     In our own time, we have seen the Polish people follow the example 
of General Pulaski and renew their dedication to freedom--rebuilding 
their homeland in spite of Nazi oppression and, later, communist 
tyranny.

[[Page 2038]]

Today, Poland has regained its sovereignty and fashioned a sturdy 
representative democracy. For Americans and Poles alike, Casimir 
Pulaski's sacrifice for independence remains a model of courage and 
commitment that can stir us to reach new heights of democratic justice 
and liberty.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, 
October 11, 1996, as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage Americans 
everywhere to commemorate this occasion with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities paying tribute to Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who 
carry on his mission.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
October, 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, 8:45 a.m., October 15, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 11, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on October 16.