[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 34 (Monday, August 27, 2007)]
[Pages 1106-1107]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8168--Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution 
Week, 2007

 August 21, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and during Constitution 
Week, we celebrate the anniversary of our Nation's Constitution and 
honor the Framers who created the landmark document that continues to 
guide our Nation.
    In the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to create 
``a more perfect Union'' and craft the document that is the foundation 
of our country. With great diligence, they worked to develop a framework 
that would balance authority and inherent freedoms, Federal interests 
and State powers, individual rights and national unity. On September 
17th of the same year, the delegates signed the Constitution of the 
United States.
    Today, every American shares in this legacy of liberty, and we are 
grateful for the courage, conviction, and sacrifice of all those who 
have helped preserve and uphold the principles of a free society. As we 
remember the enduring importance of the Constitution, we also recognize 
our responsibility as citizens to respect and defend the values of our 
founding and participate in the unfolding story of freedom.
    In celebration of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition 
of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of 
citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 
U.S.C. 106, as amended), designated September 17 as ``Constitution Day 
and Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 
U.S.C. 108, as amended), requested that the President proclaim the week 
beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as 
``Constitution Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2007, as Constitution Day and 
Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2007,

[[Page 1107]]

as Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, 
as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to 
conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and 
reaffirm our rights and responsibilities as citizens of our great 
Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:52 a.m., August 23, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on August 22, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
August 24.