[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 42 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Pages 1371-1372]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7721--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2003

October 10, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski sacrificed his life on October 11, 
1779, for America's independence and the universal

[[Page 1372]]

cause of freedom. His bravery in supporting the American Revolutionary 
War is an inspiration to individuals around the world who pursue peace 
and freedom for all.
    Growing up near Warsaw, Casimir Pulaski knew firsthand the horror of 
tyranny and oppression. In 1768, he joined his father and fellow 
compatriots in rising against injustice and fighting for Polish 
independence. As a commander in the rebellion, the young Pole 
demonstrated a devotion to freedom and great courage. When the rebellion 
was quelled, Pulaski was exiled to France, where he continued to pursue 
freedom with the same spirit and determination that he had shown in 
Poland.
    While in Paris, he met with the American envoy to France, Benjamin 
Franklin, who discussed with him America's struggle for independence. 
Pulaski then volunteered his services to General George Washington. In 
his first letter to General Washington after arriving in America in the 
summer of 1777, General Pulaski pledged that he ``came here, where 
freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live and die for it.'' 
Impressed with General Pulaski's abilities and battle experience, 
General Washington commissioned him as a Brigadier General of the 
American cavalry. In May 1779, General Pulaski's new cavalry division 
successfully defended the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Several 
months later, in the siege of Savannah, General Pulaski was mortally 
wounded while trying to raise morale and rally his troops who were under 
heavy enemy fire.
    General Pulaski's bravery and sacrifice helped lead America to 
victory, and today, the Polish motto--``for your freedom and ours''--
echoes the great spirit of this Polish and American hero. This day, we 
commemorate General Pulaski's service to our Nation and draw strength 
from his example. We also honor the sacrifices of the many men and women 
of Poland and other allied nations who persevere with us in the fight 
for freedom.
    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 October 11, 2003, as 
General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to commemorate 
this occasion with appropriate programs and activities paying tribute to 
Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who defend the freedom of our 
Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
October, 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, 8:45 a.m., October 15, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
16. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.