Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 88 Part 2.djvu/1189

 88 STAT. ]

PROCLAMATION 4313-SEPT. 16, 1974

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service in the national interest, together with an acknowledgment of their allegiance to the country and its Constitution. Desertion in time of war is a major, serious offense; failure to respond to the country's call for duty is also a serious offense. Reconciliation among our people does not require that these acts be condoned. Yet, reconciliation calls for an act of mercy to bind the Nation's wounds and to heal the scars of divisiveness. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United ^: -^ ' States, pursuant to my powers under Article II, Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution, do hereby proclaim a program to commence immedi- ^Y^ ^ ^^" ately to afford reconciliation to Vietnam era draft evaders and military deserters upon the following terms and conditions: 1. Draft Evaders—An individual who allegedly unlawfully failed under the Military Selective Service Act or any rule or regulation pro- ^^^^ "^^ Pmulgated thereunder, to register or register on time, to keep the local board informed of his current address, to report for or submit to preinduction or induction examination, to report for or submit to induction itself, or to report for or submit to, or complete service under section 6(j) of such Act during the period from August 4, 1964 to March 28, so use app. 1973, inclusive, and who has not been adjudged guilty in a trial for such offense, will be relieved of prosecution and punishment for such offense if he: (i) presents himself to a United States Attorney before January 31, 1975, (ii) executes an agreement acknowledging his allegiance to the United States and pledging to fulfill a period of alternate service under the auspices of the Director of Selective Service, and (iii) satisfactorily completes such service. The alternate service shall promote the national health, safety, or interest. No draft evader will be given the privilege of completing a period of alternate service by service in the Armed Forces. However, this program will not apply to an individual who is precluded from re-entering the United States under 8 U.S.C. 1182 (a) (22) or other law. Additionally, if individuals eligible for this program have other criminal charges outstanding, their participation in the program may be conditioned upon, or postponed until after, final disposition of the other charges has been reached in accordance with law.

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