[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Pages 1380-1381]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7323--Father's Day, 2000

June 16, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Each year, Americans set aside the third Sunday in June to pay 
special tribute to our fathers, who for many of us are the first and 
most important men in our lives. The role

[[Page 1381]]

of father is a unique blessing and a profound responsibility, one at the 
very heart of our Nation's families and communities. When we are young, 
our father's nurturing brings us comfort and security. As we grow, our 
dads are our teachers and coaches--whether we are learning to read or to 
play a sport--and they instill in us cherished values of honor, courage, 
hard work, and respect for others. Later, as adults, we look to our 
fathers for advice and friendship. On all the paths of life, our fathers 
encourage us when we hesitate, support us when we falter, and cheer us 
when we succeed.
    American fathers today must balance the demands of work and family. 
As our growing economy has helped America's families meet their 
financial needs, the pressure to maintain that balance has increased. 
For the health of our families, it is important that fathers have the 
time, the support, and the parenting skills necessary to fulfill their 
children's moral and emotional needs as well as provide for their 
physical well-being. Throughout our Administration, Vice President Gore 
and I have encouraged fathers to take an active and responsible role in 
their children's lives. This year, in recognition of Father's Day, I am 
directing the Department of Health and Human Services, along with 
certain other Federal agencies, to develop guidance for State and local 
governments, community providers, and families on Federal resources that 
are available to promote responsible fatherhood.
    On this first Father's Day of the 21st century, let us honor our 
fathers, both living and deceased, for believing in our dreams and 
helping us to achieve them. Throughout the year, let us continue to 
reflect on the importance of fathers--whether biological, foster, 
adoptive, or stepfathers--as role models in our lives. And let us 
express our gratitude for the many gifts they bring to our lives by 
passing on their legacy of love and caring to our own children.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress 
approved April 24, 1972 (36 U.S.C. 142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, 
June 18, 2000, as Father's Day. I invite the States, communities across 
our country, and all the citizens of the United States to observe this 
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that demonstrate our deep 
appreciation and abiding love for our fathers.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day 
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand, 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., June 20, 
2000]

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