Presidential Documents

49121

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 182

Friday, September 19, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7022 of September 16, 1997

Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Of all the dates in American history, one of the most important is perhaps

the least well-known—September 17, 1787. On that day, our Nation’s Founders signed the Constitution of the United States, a document that has steadily

grown in stature throughout the world as a model for democratic government

under the rule of law.

As with most human enterprises, the Constitution was the product of compromise. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention brought with them

to Philadelphia conflicting local and regional concerns, differing viewpoints,

fears of creating a government that was either too powerful or too weak.

When the convention seemed close to dissolving with nothing accomplished,

Benjamin Franklin reminded his fellow delegates that history would judge

them harshly if they failed in this great experiment of self-government:

‘‘. . . [M]ankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of

establishing governments by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war

and conquest.’’

But human wisdom did prevail. The delegates devised a framework for

democracy with an ingenious design of checks and balances, broad protection

of individual rights, and a mechanism for amendment to ensure that it

would be able to respond to the ever-changing needs of our people. This

remarkable document has rightly earned the world’s admiration for its success

in combining structural solidity with practical adaptability—a combination

that has served our Nation through times of rapid change as well as times

of stability.

We can measure that success by the thousands of men, women, and children

who travel to our shores each year, seeking a chance to live out their

dreams. Many of them know what life can be like without the blessings

of our Constitution, and their experience is a powerful reminder to us

of the importance of protecting the Constitution if we are to preserve freedom

for ourselves and for the generations of Americans to follow. We can also

learn much from their deep desire for American citizenship and their enthusiasm to embrace not only its privileges, but also its responsibilities—knowledge of and respect for our laws, a willingness to exercise their vote, and

reverence for the fundamental American values of freedom, tolerance, and

equality.

But today American citizenship requires more. At the Presidents’ Summit

for America’s Future in Philadelphia this past April, I joined with Vice

President Gore; former Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush; General Colin

Powell; and other national and community leaders in calling for a redefinition

of American citizenship—a definition that includes a profound commitment

to community service. Each of us must look into our own neighborhoods

and communities and reach out to help our fellow Americans succeed.

We can only fulfill America’s bright promise of freedom and opportunity

by ensuring that every citizen shares in that promise.

In commemorating the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of

the importance of active, responsible citizenship to preserve its blessings

for our Nation, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36
49122 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 182 / Friday, September 19, 1997 / Presidential Documents

U.S.C. 153), designated September 17 as ‘‘Citizenship Day,’’ and by joint

resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 159), requested the President to

proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of

each year as ‘‘Constitution Week.’’

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

of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 1997, as Citizenship Day

and September 17 through September 23, 1997, as Constitution Week. I

call upon Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic,

educational, and religious organizations, to conduct meaningful ceremonies

and programs in our schools, churches, and other community centers to

foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the Constitution and

the rights and duties of citizenship.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth 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. 97–25116

Filed 9–18–97; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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