[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 2003)]
[Pages 1246-1247]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7707--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2003

 September 18, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The sacrifice and service of America's veterans, including those who 
became prisoners of war or who went missing in action, have preserved 
freedom for America and brought freedom to millions around the world. On 
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the extraordinary courage of 
the Americans who have been prisoners of war, and we pray for those who 
are still missing in action and unaccounted for. This Nation also 
remembers the challenges and heartache endured by the families of 
prisoners of war and missing in action. We seek answers for the families 
of those who are still missing, and we will not rest until we have a 
full accounting.
    To mark this important day, on September 19, 2003, the flag of the 
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in 
Southeast Asia will again be flown over the White House, the Capitol, 
the Departments of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the Selective 
Service System Headquarters, the National Vietnam Veterans and Korean 
War Veterans Memorials, U.S. military installations, national 
cemeteries, and other locations across our country. We raise this flag 
as a reminder and a promise. The black-and-white flag is a symbol that 
these missing Americans will not be forgotten, and is flown as a 
testament to our Government's unwavering commitment to pursue the 
fullest possible accounting for all our missing in action service 
members.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, 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 19, 2003, as 
National POW/MIA Recognition Day. I call upon the people of the United 
States to join me in saluting all American POWs who valiantly served 
this great country. I call upon Federal, State, and local government 
officials and private organizations to

[[Page 1247]]

observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:38 a.m., September 
22, 2003]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on September 19, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on September 23.