[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Pages 1346-1347]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7022--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1997

September 16, 1997

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Of all the dates in American history, one of the most important is 
perhaps the least well-known--September 17, 1787. On that day, our 
Nation's Founders signed the Constitution of the United States, a 
document that has steadily grown in stature throughout the world as a 
model for democratic government under the rule of law.
    As with most human enterprises, the Constitution was the product of 
compromise. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention brought with 
them to Philadelphia conflicting local and regional concerns, differing 
viewpoints, fears of creating a government that was either too powerful 
or too weak. When the convention seemed close to dissolving with nothing 
accomplished, Benjamin Franklin reminded his fellow delegates that 
history would judge them harshly if they failed in this great experiment 
of self-government: ``. . . [M]ankind may hereafter, from this 
unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human 
wisdom, and leave it to chance, war and conquest.''
    But human wisdom did prevail. The delegates devised a framework for 
democracy with an ingenious design of checks and balances, broad 
protection of individual rights, and a mechanism for amendment to ensure 
that it would be able to respond to the ever-changing needs of our 
people. This remarkable document has rightly earned the world's 
admiration for its success in combining structural solidity with 
practical adaptability--a combination that has served our Nation through 
times of rapid change as well as times of stability.
    We can measure that success by the thousands of men, women, and 
children who travel to our shores each year, seeking a chance to live 
out their dreams. Many of them know what life can be like without the 
blessings

[[Page 1347]]

of our Constitution, and their experience is a powerful reminder to us 
of the importance of protecting the Constitution if we are to preserve 
freedom for ourselves and for the generations of Americans to follow. We 
can also learn much from their deep desire for American citizenship and 
their enthusiasm to embrace not only its privileges, but also its 
responsibilities--knowledge of and respect for our laws, a willingness 
to exercise their vote, and reverence for the fundamental American 
values of freedom, tolerance, and equality.
    But today American citizenship requires more. At the Presidents' 
Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia this past April, I joined 
with Vice President Gore; former Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush; 
General Colin Powell; and other national and community leaders in 
calling for a redefinition of American citizenship--a definition that 
includes a profound commitment to community service. Each of us must 
look into our own neighborhoods and communities and reach out to help 
our fellow Americans succeed. We can only fulfill America's bright 
promise of freedom and opportunity by ensuring that every citizen shares 
in that promise.
    In commemorating the signing of the Constitution and in recognition 
of the importance of active, responsible citizenship to preserve its 
blessings for our Nation, 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, 1997, as Citizenship 
Day and September 17 through September 23, 1997, 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 our schools, churches, and other community 
centers to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the 
Constitution and the rights and duties of citizenship.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and twenty-second.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 18, 
1997]

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