Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 5.djvu/1041

 PROCLAMATION 7124—SEPT. 17, 1998 112 STAT. 3799 150 years ago also set the highest standards of citizenship. Recognizing that women, too, are entitled to share in America's promise of equality, they began a crusade that resulted in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. Likewise, we honor American citizens of our century, black and white, who worked together, faced danger together, and sometimes died together in the struggle to end racial injustice in our society and move our Nation closer to the constitutional ideal of equality under the law. The 24th Amendment, guaranteeing all citizens the right to vote, reflects their spirit and commitment to true democracy. As we seek to form a more perfect union at home, we also bear the responsibilities of citizenship in our worid community. Throughout our history, we have sought to secure the blessings of liberty not only for ourselves, but for all people everywhere. We remember the Americans who fought two world wars against tyranny and oppression and who triumphed in the Cold War through faith in the promise of democracy. These men and women cared so intensely about our Nation and their fellow human beings that they were willing to forego their own comfort and sometimes even to sacrifice their own lives for the ideal of freedom envisioned by our Founders. In comjnemoration of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of the importance of active, responsible citizenship in preserving the Constitution's blessings for our Nation, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153), designated September 17 as "Citizenship Day," and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 159), requested that the President 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, 1998, as Citizenship Day and September 17 through September 23, 1998, 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, houses of worship, and other commiinity 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-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 7124 of September 17, 1998 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 1998 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For more than two centuries, America has been blessed by the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our Armed Forces. Often leav-

�