Presidential Documents

34907

Federal Register

Vol. 65, No. 105

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7315 of May 26, 2000

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For many Americans, Memorial Day has come to signify the beginning

of summer, the opening of the neighborhood pool, and a time for picnics

and barbecues. In the midst of these festivities, however, we can too often

overlook the holiday’s true meaning. Memorial Day was first observed in

1868 in remembrance of those who died in the Civil War; since then our

Nation has set this day aside as a solemn occasion on which to pay tribute

to all the men and women who have died in service to our country.

Throughout our Nation’s history, brave Americans have donned our country’s

uniform to defend our freedom and uphold our values, often far from home

and in the face of grave danger. From the battles of the Revolutionary

War through the epic struggles of World Wars I and II to today’s peacekeeping

missions in a world with sophisticated weapons and terrorist threats, the

men and women of our Armed Forces have served with skill and courage.

While the challenges they face have changed with each passing year, their

devotion to duty and to country has remained steadfast.

For more than a million Americans, that devotion cost them their lives

but secured for us priceless freedom, peace, and security. While we should

remember these patriots every day for the profound contribution they have

made to our Nation, we should honor them with special gratitude on Memorial Day.

This year, to reaffirm the true meaning of Memorial Day, we begin a new

tradition by observing a ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance.’’ I ask all

Americans to unite on Memorial Day in acknowledging the service of America’s fallen heroes. Let us reflect on the profound debt we owe to those

brave men and women who gave their lives for our Nation, and let us

teach current and future generations that our freedom, peace, and prosperity

were achieved only through the sacrifice of those who came before them.

In recognition of those courageous Americans, the Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President

to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to

observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and

designating a period on that day when the American people might unite

in prayer. In support of the new tradition of a National Moment of Remembrance, the Congress has passed H.Con.Res. 302 calling on the people of

the United States to observe a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 29, 2000, as a day

of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate 3:00 p.m. local time on

that day as the time to join in prayer and to observe the National Moment

of Remembrance. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other media

to participate in this observance.

I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth

of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government,

to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial

34908 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 105 / Wednesday, May 31, 2000 / Presidential Documents

Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United

States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control, and I request

the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their

homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth

day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence

[FR Doc. 00–13829

Filed 5–30–00; 12:14 pm]

Billing code 3195–01–P

of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

œ–