Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Presidential Documents 48933

Proclamation 7021 of September 15, 1997

50th Anniversary of the National Security Act of 1947

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The United States emerged from the crucible of World War II to face a

political and military landscape changed forever by the events of that conflict.

The Soviet Union, a vital ally during the war, was fast becoming an actively

hostile and dangerous opponent. And, as the most economically and militarily powerful nation on earth, the United States bore the awesome responsibility of preventing the onset of another and even more destructive world

war.

Recognizing these harsh new realities, and wise in the hard lessons of

recent history, President Truman and America’s other civilian and military

leaders determined to create the structures and programs that would guarantee our national security and promote lasting world peace. The result of

their efforts was the National Security Act of 1947. This single historic

piece of legislation created four extraordinary institutions that continue to

serve America superbly a half-century later: the Department of Defense,

the United States Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National

Security Council.

The complex task of coordinating the operations of ground, sea, and air

forces during World War II demonstrated the need for unified direction

of America’s Armed Forces in the postwar world. The National Security

Act answered that need by establishing the Department of Defense. Under

the civilian control of the Secretary of Defense, and fortified by the collective

experience, knowledge, and strategic guidance of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,

the three military departments within the Department of Defense—the Army,

Navy, and Air Force—began to work together as a powerful team to integrate

the operation and administration of all our Nation’s Armed Forces.

Today, the Department of Defense has realized in large measure the objectives

stated in the National Security Act. The Armed Forces and the unified

commands have achieved a remarkable degree of integration in organization

and operations and remain the best-trained, best-equipped, and best-prepared

fighting force in the world. Our men and women in uniform stand ready

to preserve America’s freedom and protect our national interests whenever

and wherever they are threatened.

The Second World War also proved the critical importance of air power

to the defense of our Nation. With the creation of the United States Air

Force as an independent armed service within the Department of Defense,

the National Security Act helped to ensure America’s mastery of the skies.

In the subsequent 50 years, the courage and dedication of the men and

women of the United States Air Force have been a constant source of

pride and reassurance to the American people.

With equal devotion, the men and women of the Central Intelligence Agency

have enabled America to meet the challenges of global leadership for the

past half-century. Providing ten Presidents and their administrations with

the strategic intelligence to make informed decisions vital to the security

of our Nation, these dedicated public servants helped America to fight

and win the Cold War. Today, in a world no longer burdened by superpower

confrontation, they remain vigilant in the face of more diffuse and complex
48934 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Presidential Documents

dangers: from aggression by rogue states and terrorism to the spread of

weapons of mass destruction and international drug trafficking.

In creating the National Security Council, the National Security Act of

1947 provided the President with an invaluable forum for the consideration

and coordination of domestic, foreign, and military policies related to America’s security. Supporting the President, his Cabinet, and his other close

advisors with sound judgment, analysis, and advice, the men and women

of the National Security Council can reflect with pride on five decades

of unparalleled service to our Nation. Through the East-West confrontations

of the Cold War to the threshold of the 21st century, the National Security

Council has played a vital role in protecting our Nation’s security and

in preparing us for the challenges of the future.

As we observe the 50th anniversary of the National Security Act of 1947,

we pay tribute to the vision and determination of a generation of American

civilian and military leaders. Working together, they established the remarkable institutions we celebrate this week; institutions that have helped to

secure the peace and prosperity that America enjoys today. The success

of their efforts and of the historic legislation enacted half a century ago

is reflected in an outstanding record of achievement: nuclear war averted,

the Cold War won, and the nations of the world turning to democracy

and free markets.

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

of America, do hereby proclaim September 14 through September 20, 1997,

as a time to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Security

Act of 1947. I call upon all Americans to observe this anniversary with

appropriate programs and activities celebrating the accomplishments of this

legislation and honoring the service and sacrifice of the thousands of dedicated Americans who have strived to carry out its mandate for the past

five decades.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day

of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven,

and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred

[FR Doc. 97–24904

Filed 9–16–97; 9:04 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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