Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1996

Proclamation 6917 of September 17, 1996

Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

At a time when many nations around the world are
becoming ever more factionalized, the citizens of the
United States are blessed with an overarching identity
as Americans. The wisdom of our Nation's founders, as
embodied in our Constitution, still binds us in a
united community of purpose and ideals. Our
Constitution invites us all to recognize ourselves as
Americans first--not to de-emphasize our personal or
familial roots, but to celebrate the diversity that
adds strength to our national character. As Daniel
Webster put it more than a century ago, we share ``One
country, one constitution, one destiny.''

This week we celebrate the Constitution of the United
States of America. This remarkably flexible document
has stood for more than two centuries as a unique
achievement in the world of nations. The more we study
and understand the Constitution, the more we grow,
mature, and blossom as citizens. This process links us
to the Nation's founders by making us part of their
great adventure in democracy. By living our daily lives
according to the founders' principles, we keep alive
their vision and demonstrate its truth and wisdom.

In order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen,
immigrants undertake a formal study of the guiding
principles and institutions of American government.
Those who choose to become citizens proudly welcome
this responsibility. In fact, all of us would do well
to emulate the zeal and interest shown by these newest
Americans, who deeply appreciate their bond with the
noble tradition of our Constitution. Therefore, on this
occasion I call upon all Americans to consider the
wonderful blessings of their United States citizenship
and to look upon our Constitution and celebrate the
freedom and protection that it has always afforded us.

In commemoration of the signing of our Constitution and
in recognition of the importance of informed,
responsible citizenship, the Congress, by joint
resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153),
designated September 17 as ``Citizenship Day,'' and by
joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 159),
requested the President to proclaim the week beginning
September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as
``Constitution Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
17, 1996, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through
September 23, 1996, as Constitution Week, and urge all
Americans to join in observing these occasions with
appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of September, 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 twenty-first.