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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
June 7, 1996
Flag Day And National Flag
Week, 1996
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By The President of The United States of America
A Proclamation
There is no better symbol of our country's values and
traditions than the Flag of the United States of America. Chosen by the
Continental Congress in 1777, it continues to exemplify the profound
commitment to freedom, equality, and opportunity made by our founders more
than two centuries ago. Our flag's proud stars and stripes have long
inspired our people, and its beautiful red, white, and blue design is
known around the world as a beacon of liberty and justice.
Today, America's Flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms, and
churches, serving as a daily reminder of this Nation's past
accomplishments and ongoing dedication to safeguarding individual rights.
The brave members of our Armed Forces carry "Old Glory" with them as they
fulfill their mission to defend the blessings of democracy and peace
across the globe; our banner flies from public buildings as a sign of our
national community; and its folds drape the tombs of our distinguished
dead. The Flag is a badge of honor to all -- a sign of our citizens'
common purpose.
This week and throughout the year let us do all we can to teach younger
generations the significance of our Flag. Its 13 red and white
stripes represent not only the original colonies, but also the courage and
purity of our Nation, while its 50 stars stand for the separate but united
States of our Union. Let us pledge allegiance to this Flag to
declare our patriotism and raise its colors high to express our pride and
respect for the American way of life.
To commemorate the adoption of our Flag, the Congress, by joint resolution
approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as
"Flag Day" and requested the President to issue an annual proclamation
calling for its observance and for the display of the Flag of the United
States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also
requested the President, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966 (80
Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which
June 14 falls as "National Flag Week" and calling upon all citizens of the
United States to display the Flag during that week.
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 1996, as Flag Day and the week
beginning June 9, 1996, 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 Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor our Nation, 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 seventh day of June,
in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twentieth.
William J. Clinton
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