[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.