Presidential Documents

59559

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 213

Tuesday, November 4, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7046 of October 30, 1997

National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week,

1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As we approach this century’s end, many of the blocs and barriers that

divided the world for 50 years largely have fallen away. All around the

world, with America’s help, nations are moving from conflict to cooperation.

However, we still face challenges that have taken on new and dangerous

dimensions: ethnic and religious violence, aggression by outlaw states, the

illegal drug trade, and threats from international terrorism and weapons

of mass destruction. The National Guard and Reserve play a vital role

in the response of America’s Armed Forces to this broad spectrum of challenges to our national security, and they are an indispensable part of the

effort to promote peace and democratic values.

While most Americans understand and deeply appreciate the strategic and

military value of our National Guard and Reserve forces, too often we

fail to recognize or acknowledge the important contributions of their civilian

employers. When called upon to share their greatest resource—employees

serving as citizen-soldiers—these employers subordinate their own interests

for the good of our country, even when they may incur financial hardship

and organizational disruption. It is only because of the willingness by employers to place our Nation’s well-being above their own that our National

Guard and Reserve are able to provide mission-ready and accessible forces

to help preserve our freedom and protect our national interests. The generosity of these employers is key to enabling Reserve components to play an

ever greater and more diverse role in our country’s Armed Forces. By setting

aside this special time to honor the sacrifice of our Nation’s employers,

we express our heartfelt appreciation to these patriots for employing our

citizen-soldiers, making it possible for them to serve, and helping to keep

America strong, secure, and free.

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

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2 through

November 8, 1997, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Week. I encourage all Americans to join me in expressing our heartfelt

thanks to the civilian employers of the members of our National Guard

and Reserve for their extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our Nation. I

also call upon State and local officials, private organizations, businesses,

and all military commanders to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
59560 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 213 / Tuesday, November 4, 1997 / Presidential Documents

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

of October, 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. 97–29287

Filed 11–3–97; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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