Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 2007

Proclamation 8168 of August 21, 2007

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,
Constitution Week, 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, 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.