Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2006

Proclamation 8029 of June 6, 2006

Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From our Nation's earliest days, Old Glory has stood
for America's strength, unity, and liberty. During Flag
Day and National Flag Week, we honor this enduring
American symbol and celebrate the hope and ideals that
it embodies.

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress established
the flag of a young Nation, whose 13 original states
were represented in the flag's 13 stars and 13
alternating red and white stripes. Today, the Stars and
Stripes commemorate the revolutionary truths of our
Declaration of Independence and Constitution. As
Americans, we revere freedom and equality, the rights
and dignity of every individual, and the supremacy of
the rule of law. These fundamental beliefs have guided
our country and lifted the fortunes of all Americans,
and we have seen their power to transform other nations
and deliver hope to people around the world.

During Flag Day and National Flag Week, we also honor
the men and women who carry our flag into battle.
Through their bravery and sacrifice, they help keep
America safe and advance peace and freedom around the
globe. By flying the flag, we express our gratitude to
these heroes and all those who help ensure that the
many blessings of our great country continue for
generations to come.

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 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,
2006, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 11, 2006,
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
sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand
six, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B