[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 50 (Monday, December 14, 1998)]
[Pages 2431-2432]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7156--National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 1998

December 4, 1998

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Fifty-seven years ago, at 7:55 on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, 
Imperial Japan launched a surprise attack on American forces at Pearl 
Harbor, thrusting the United States into the crucible of World War II. 
From the vantage point of history, we now know that the events of that 
day would transform our Nation and the course of world history.
    Attacking in two waves, Japanese aircraft killed or wounded almost 
3,600 Americans--over 1,000 of them aboard the battleship ARIZONA--sank 
or badly damaged most of our Pacific Fleet, and destroyed or damaged 
almost all U.S. aircraft in the area. In his historic speech to the 
Congress on the following day, President Franklin Roosevelt requested 
and the Congress approved a declaration of war against Japan. With 
characteristic optimism and confidence in the spirit of the American 
people, he predicted that ``No matter how long it may take us . . . the 
American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute 
victory.''
    President Roosevelt proved to be right, although he would not live 
to see the ultimate triumph of freedom. After almost 4 long years of 
struggle and sacrifice by the men and women of our Armed Forces, 
sustained by the prayers of their families and the efforts of determined 
working men and women throughout our land who built our Nation into the 
``Arsenal of Democracy,'' the United States and our allies prevailed 
over the forces of fascism and oppression.
    To understand and appreciate the magnitude of our victory in World 
War II, we have only to remember Pearl Harbor. We have only to remember 
the indomitable spirit of the American forces there who, despite the 
death and destruction engulfing them, individually and collectively 
responded with courage and selflessness. We remember the sailors who 
raced to their battle stations and opened fire on the attacking Japanese 
planes even as their ships were ablaze and sinking. We remember the 
small, valiant band of Army pilots who managed to take off during the 
second wave of bombing and, though hopelessly outnumbered, shot down 
several enemy aircraft. We remember the crew of the crippled OKLAHOMA 
cheering their comrades on the NEVADA as she made a desperate dash down 
the harbor channel to safety. These heroes of Pearl Harbor were an 
inspiration to our entire country--and they remain so today. It is 
fitting that each year, on this day, we remember them and give thanks 
for their courage, their sacrifice, and their refusal to be defeated. 
Because of them, and the millions of other Americans like them who have 
served our Nation in uniform, America is free, strong, and at peace.
    To pay tribute to these heroes and to honor our solemn obligation to 
those who sacrificed their lives to defend our freedom that fateful 
Sunday morning, the Congress, by Public Law 103-308, has designated 
December 7, 1998, as ``National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 1998, as National 
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day 
with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the 
Americans who served at Pearl Harbor. I also ask all Federal departments 
and agencies, organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of the 
United States at half-staff on this day in honor of those Americans who 
died as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

[[Page 2432]]

    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-third.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 8, 
1998]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 9. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.