Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3655

 123STA T . 3 6 3 5PROCL A M AT I O N8 368 — MA Y 1 , 2 0 0 9andhisrefu sa lto retreat fro m the g reatest moral c hallenge e v er to con - front us , gave us the E manci p ation P roclamation and the preservation of our U nion .H is dedication also gave us the G ett y s b urg A ddress, w ith its resolution that ‘ ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ’ ’ I ndeed, L incoln was one of the greatest Presidents and one of the greatest lawyers, in our N ation’s history. Lincoln’s lasting legacy is his vision of the ‘‘more perfect Union’’ promised in our C onstitution’s preamble. According to Lincoln, ‘‘ T he legitimate ob j ect of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities.’’ This vision of a true United S tates of America, bound together by a rec- ognition of the common good, guided our country through its dar k est hour and helped it re-emerge as a beacon of freedom and e q uality under law. O n this Law D ay, I encourage Americans to reflect on this legacy. B y continuing a national conversation on the principles for which Lincoln stood, and by highlighting the attributes of this great American, we can help ensure that the legacy of our si x teenth President endures and that the United States remains dedicated to the principles of government under law. NO W , THE R E F ORE, I, BARAC K OBA M A, President of the United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 87–20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 200 9 , as Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon the people of the United States to acknowledge the importance of our Na- tion’s legal and judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and ac- tivities, and to display the flag of the United States in support of this national observance. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n836 8o fM a y1,20 0 9Loyalt y D ay ,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation More than two centuries ago, our Nation’s Founders declared the birth of a new Nation and began an experiment in self-governance. The young Republic committed itself to protecting the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all citi z ens. These ideals inspired loy- alty to the young Nation and moved volunteers to fight for their inde- pendence. Generations later, these founding principles continue to unify and command the loyalty of the American people. The United States has expanded in size, increased in population, and grown in diversity, yet