[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 23 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Pages 749-750]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8155--Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007

 June 5, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The American Flag represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol 
of our Nation's ideals since the earliest days of our Nation. Wherever 
it flies, we are reminded of America's unity and in the great cause of 
liberty and justice for all.
    Two hundred and thirty years ago, the Second Continental Congress 
officially made the Stars and Stripes the symbol of America. The 
Founders declared that the 13 stars gracing the original flag 
represented ``a new constellation,'' just as America embodied new hope 
and new light for mankind. Today, our flag continues to convey the bold 
spirit of a proud and determined Nation.
    Americans have long flown our flag as a sign of patriotism and 
gratitude for the blessings of liberty. We also pledge allegiance to the 
flag as an expression of loyalty to our country and to the belief in the 
American creed of freedom and justice. By displaying and showing respect 
for the flag, we honor the ideals upon which our democracy rests and 
show appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Flying the flag can 
also be an expression of thanks for the men and women who have served 
and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms--from the early patriots of 
the Continental Army to the courageous Americans in uniform who are 
defending those freedoms around the world today.
    During Flag Day and National Flag Week, we honor Old Glory and 
reflect on the foundations of our freedom. As citizens of this great 
Nation, we are proud of our heritage, grateful for our liberty, and 
confident in our future.
    To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint 
resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), 
designated June 14 of each year as ``Flag Day'' and requested that the 
President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and 
for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal 
Government

[[Page 750]]

buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved 
June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue 
annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as 
``National Flag Week'' and calling upon all citizens of the United 
States to display the flag during that week.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2007, as Flag Day and the week 
beginning June 10, 2007, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate 
officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during 
that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National 
Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other 
suitable places. I also call upon the people of the United States to 
observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through 
Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a 
time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings 
and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the 
Flag of the United States of America.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:12 a.m., June 7, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on June 6, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
June 8.