[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 37 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Pages 2090-2091]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7340--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2000

September 14, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the onset of the Korean War 
and the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. For many 
Americans, these milestones bring difficult memories; for former 
prisoners of war and the families of those still missing in action, 
these anniversaries evoke particularly painful memories and emotions.
    In both of these conflicts, hundreds of thousands of brave Americans 
left their homes and families to defend freedom and democracy in the 
face of communist aggression. Thousands lost their lives in battle, and 
the fate of 10,000 Americans is still unknown--they are missing in 
action. We know

[[Page 2091]]

that many Americans held captive were subjected to unspeakable horrors, 
but throughout maintained their honor, strong faith in our Nation, and 
indomitable spirit.
    There are approximately 50,000 courageous former POWs living among 
us, including those held captive during World War II. Many still cope 
with the physical and emotional effects of their captivity. We owe a 
profound debt of gratitude to these quiet heroes who served our Nation 
so well and sacrificed so much. And to the families of those still 
missing in action, we pledge our unwavering commitment to achieve the 
fullest possible accounting for their loved ones and to seek the 
recovery, repatriation, and identification of the remains of those who 
have died.
    On September 15, 2000, the flag of the National League of Families 
of American Prisoners of War and Missing in Southeast Asia, a black and 
white banner symbolizing America's missing service members and our 
unshakable resolve to ascertain their fate, will be flown over the White 
House, the U.S. Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans 
Affairs, the Selective Service System Headquarters, the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, national cemeteries, and 
other locations across our country--a powerful reminder to the world 
that we will keep faith with those who so faithfully served America.
    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 September 
15, 2000, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon all Americans 
to join me in remembering former American prisoners of war who suffered 
the hardships of enemy captivity and those missing in action whose fate 
is still undetermined. I call upon Federal, State, and local government 
officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 18, 
2000]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 19.