    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
    [Pages 1759-1760]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7222--Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1999

    September 16, 1999

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        The Constitution is perhaps our Nation's most cherished document,
    the compass that has helped us chart America's course toward freedom,
    human dignity, and democracy for more than 200 years. Its text, born of
    the genius and idealism of our Founders and hammered out through hard
    effort and compromise by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention,
    established a system of government capable of responding to the
    pressures of social and political change. It created a sacred covenant
    that continues to bind all our citizens by a set of principles based on
    the ideals of equality, inclusion, and independence and by a delicate
    balance of powers, rights, and responsibilities among citizens and their
    State and Federal Governments. Today, sustained by the efforts and
    sacrifices of generations of Americans, the U.S. Constitution remains as
    strong and vibrant a charter of freedom as it was at the time of its
    signing 212 years ago.
        The 20th century has witnessed a great wave of migration of men and
    women to our Nation from all parts of the globe, attracted by the
    freedom, justice, and rule of law guaranteed by our Constitution. As
    they assume the responsibilities of American citizenship, they infuse
    our political process with fresh perspectives and enthusiasm and prove
    to the world that a diverse people can live in peace and progress. Today
    we are a Nation with new hopes, new dreams, and new people, but we are
    united by a devotion to the same democratic ideals that have guided us
    for over 200 years.
        As we reflect upon America's past, we recognize that our country is
    still in the act of becoming the ``more perfect union'' envisioned by
    our Founders. Every generation of Americans has struggled to live up to
    our

    [[Page 1760]]

    Nation's promise, working to overcome forces of fear or ignorance or
    prejudice that would seek to deny the rights of others because of their
    gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The 21st
    century may bring new challenges to the rights and liberties of American
    citizens, but we can be confident that the Constitution will still light
    a clear and shining path of freedom and justice into the future.
        During Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, let us recognize the
    great efforts not only of our leaders, but also of ordinary Americans
    who labor daily to uphold and strengthen the ideals embodied in our
    Constitution. Whether citizens by birth or choice, we share the
    blessings guaranteed to us by the Constitution and the responsibility of
    ensuring that those blessings are extended to all our people equally.
        In commemoration of the signing of the Constitution and in
    recognition of the importance of active, responsible citizenship in
    preserving the Constitution's 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 (U.S.C. 159), requested that the President 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, 1999, as Citizenship
    Day and September 17 through September 23, 1999, 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, houses of worship, and other
    community centers to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of
    the Constitution and the rights and duties of citizenship. I also call
    on all citizens to rededicate themselves to the principles of the
    Constitution.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day
    of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine,
    and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred
    and twenty-fourth.
                                                William J. Clinton

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 20,
    1999]

    Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on
    September 21.