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 PROCLAMATION 6724—SEPT. 23, 1994 108 STAT. 5629 unique cultural heritage that, a hundred years ago, helped to turn the dream of a distant land into the reality of an American home. The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 175 (Public Law No. 103- 309), has designated October 1994, as "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this month. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of October 1994 as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and nineteenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6724 of September 23, 1994 Gold Star Mother's Day, 1994 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Americans owe a lasting debt of gratitude to those who pledged their lives to secure for us the blessings of liberty. We, therefore, set aside certain days during the year to honor their distinguished service—Veterans Day, for all who have served in our Armed Forces, and Memorial Day, for those who lost their lives in that service. But perhaps the greatest sacrifice of all in protecting our way of life was made by another group—women whose sons and daughters lost their lives in service to our country. Those are the Gold Star Mothers of America, and they have earned a special place in our hearts. Those women once experienced the anxiety of watching their sons or daughters go off to war, not knowing whether they would return. It is a drama that has been played out throughout our Nation's history. Sadly, in each generation, there are mothers who have been called on to accept the terrible truth that their son or daughter will not return. There can be no doubt that these brave women—our courageous Gold Star Mothers—are due our utmost respect. This year, the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, we remember especially those whose sons and daughters served so valiantly during World War II. Half a century later, we recall the courage, spirit, and determination of those who went ashore to fight against tyranny. We celebrate D-Day because there, on the windswept beaches of Normandy, the first beach-head for freedom was won in the most epic of all American conflicts. Inscribed in the chapel in the American cemetery in Normandy are the proud words:

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