Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 89.djvu/1339

 PROCLAMATION 4378—MAY 28, 1975

89 STAT. 1279

all citizens of the United States to display the flag of the United States on those days. This year, Flag Day is an especially historic occasion, since it is also the Bicentennial birthday of the United States Army. Two hundred years ago, on June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted resolutions which in effect established the military units of New England as the official national army. By this action, the Continental Army was created and the Nation's military service was born. The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps were established later that same year by the Continental Congress. It is appropriate, as our Nation launches its Bicentennial commemoration, that the United States flag, first flown two centuries ago, be displayed together with an ensign bearing the official American Revolution Bicentennial Symbol set on a white field, which is designated as the official Bicentennial Flag. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning June 8, 1975, as National Flag Week and I call upon the appropriate officials of the government to display the National Flag on all government buildings during that week. The heads of all government departments and agencies are also authorized and requested to provide, as they deem appropriate, for the flying of the official Bicentennial Flag, on government buildings, military installations, naval vessels, and other places where the United States flag is flown, during that period and for the remainder of the year 1975 and the entire year 1976. I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day, June 14, and Flag Week this year by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable places. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentyeighth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventyfive, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-ninth. GERALD R.

FORD

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