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-
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