[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57837-57838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23898]



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Part II





The President





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Proclamation 8562--Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution 
Week, 2010



Proclamation 8563--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2010


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 22, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

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                Proclamation 8562 of September 16, 2010

                
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, 
                Constitution Week, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The summer of 1787 was a watershed moment in our 
                Nation's history. In the span of four short months, 
                delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 
                Philadelphia established a Constitution for the United 
                States of America, signing the finished charter on 
                September 17, 1787. With their signatures, and 
                subsequent ratification of the Constitution by the 
                States, the Framers advanced our national journey.

                On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during 
                Constitution Week, we commemorate the legacy passed 
                down to us from our Nation's Founders. Our 
                Constitution, with the Bill of Rights and amendments, 
                has stood the test of time, steering our country 
                through times of prosperity and peace, and guiding us 
                through the depths of internal conflict and war. 
                Because of the wisdom of those who have shaped our 
                Nation's founding documents, and the sacrifices of 
                those who have defended America for over two centuries, 
                we enjoy unprecedented freedoms and opportunities. As 
                beneficiaries, we have a solemn duty to participate in 
                our vibrant democracy so that it remains strong and 
                responsive to the needs of our people.

                Each year, thousands of candidates for citizenship 
                commemorate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by 
                becoming new American citizens. These individuals 
                breathe life into our Constitution by learning about 
                its significance and the rights it enshrines, and then 
                by taking a solemn oath to ``support and defend the 
                Constitution and laws of the United States of 
                America.'' In so doing, they voluntarily accept that 
                citizenship is not merely a collection of rights, but 
                also a set of responsibilities. Just as our Founders 
                sought to secure the ``Blessings of Liberty'' for 
                themselves and their posterity, these new Americans 
                have come to our shores to embrace and impart the 
                fundamental beliefs that define us as a Nation.

                In the United States, our Constitution is not simply 
                words written on aging parchment, but a foundation of 
                government, a protector of liberties, and a guarantee 
                that we are all free to shape our own destiny. As we 
                celebrate this document's profound impact on our 
                everyday lives, may all Americans strive to uphold its 
                vision of freedom and justice for all.

                In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and 
                in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold 
                the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 
                U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as ``Constitution 
                Day and Citizenship Day,'' and by joint resolution of 
                August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that the 
                President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and 
                ending September 23 of each year as ``Constitution 
                Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                17, 2010, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and 
                September 17 through September 23, 2010, as 
                Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and 
                local officials, as well

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                as leaders of civic, social, and educational 
                organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that 
                recognize our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and 
                obligations as citizens of this great Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-23898
Filed 9-21-10; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P