Presidential Documents

63389

Federal Register

Vol. 60, No. 236

Friday, December 8, 1995

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 6856 of December 6, 1995

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 1995

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America’s involvement in World War II began 54 years ago as dawn was

shattered by a surprise attack on our forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ‘‘December 7, 1941—

a date which will live in infamy’’ began at 7:55 a.m. when Japan launched

an offensive to destroy the United States Pacific Fleet. The losses suffered

that day shocked our Nation with the realization that American soil was

not immune to the ravages of war—at the end of the attack, more than

3,000 Americans were dead, missing, or wounded. We resolved to boldly

defend our shores against further devastation. Just 4 years later, the same

fleet that the Japanese had attempted to destroy at Pearl Harbor sailed

triumphantly into Tokyo Bay.

The attack of Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of America’s total mobilization against a common enemy, and the United States soon became the

world’s ‘‘Arsenal of Democracy.’’ Citizens worked together toward a common

goal as the ‘‘We Can Do It’’ attitude spread across the country. The landscape

of American business was forever changed as over 19 million women and

many minority workers took high-skill jobs to contribute to the war effort.

The courageous veterans who fought selflessly to bring an end to the war

in the Pacific deserve our highest respect and our most profound gratitude.

Today we honor the sacrifices that led to the ultimate victory—the triumph

of freedom over tyranny. We also pay tribute to the families who contributed

so much with their support, sacrifices, and prayers from the home front.

A grateful Nation will long remember those who came home and those

who did not.

In the post-Cold War era, it is vital that we pass along the lessons learned

from Pearl Harbor to a new generation of Americans. We must never allow

our country to be unprepared, and we must never again isolate ourselves

from the problems of the world. This is the legacy we leave to our young

people, and it is our responsibility to continue to teach them those lessons.

By doing so, we reaffirm the values of democracy, freedom, and leadership

that have made America great.

The Congress, by Public Law 103–308, has designated December 7, 1995,

as ‘‘National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.’’

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

of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 1995, as National Pearl Harbor

Remembrance Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate

programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the Americans who served

at Pearl Harbor. I also ask all Federal departments and agencies, organizations,

and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on this

day in honor of those Americans who died as a result of the attack on

Pearl Harbor.
63390 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 1995 / Presidential Documents

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

December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and

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

[FR Doc. 95–30177

Filed 12–7–95; 10:57 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twentieth.

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