[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 41 (Monday, October 13, 1997)]
[Pages 1538-1539]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7036--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1997

October 9, 1997

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    In times of peace and at moments of great crisis, America has been 
blessed with the steadfast support of friends from other nations. Few 
have proved their friendship with more courage and generosity than 
Casimir Pulaski, who paid for America's independence with his own life.

[[Page 1539]]

    As a son of Poland, Pulaski knew well the desire for freedom and 
self-determination. He fought bravely beside his father and brothers in 
his native land, defending Poland from the aggression of neighboring 
empires with such skill and valor that he was known throughout Europe 
for his military exploits. Ultimately outnumbered by opposing forces, he 
escaped to France, where he met Benjamin Franklin and offered his 
services in behalf of the American Revolution.
    Upon his arrival in America, Pulaski told General Washington that he 
had come to defend liberty and ``to live or die for her.'' True to his 
word, he fought valiantly as a brigadier general in our Continental Army 
and made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation's freedom during the 
siege of Savannah.
    More than two centuries later, Americans and Poles alike remember 
with pride and gratitude the outstanding service General Pulaski gave to 
both his native and adopted lands. Today the United States and Poland 
enjoy freedom, prosperity, and the prospect for a bright future as 
allies in NATO, thanks to the unwavering commitment of patriots and 
heroes like Casimir Pulaski.
    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 Saturday, 
October 11, 1997, as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all 
Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate programs and 
activities paying tribute to Casimir Pulaski and his contributions to 
the cause of American freedom.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 
October, 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, 10:59 a.m., October 10, 
1997]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 14.