White House Press Release
Flag Day And National Flag Week, 1996
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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