Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1996

Proclamation 6903 of June 7, 1996

Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1996

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.