Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 61 Part 2.djvu/121

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PROCLAMATIONS-JULY 2, 10 , 1947 Designation of July 6, 1947, as John Paul J o n es Bicentennial Day. WHEREAS John Paul Jones was the first American Naval officer to be awarded a gold medal by the Continental Congress for fearless- ness and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds and, in the words of the Congress, "for the zeal, prudence, and intrepidity, with which he hath supported the honor of the American Flag"; and WHEREAS he gave our Navy its earliest traditions of heroism and victory which have fostered the high morale and initiative demon- strated throughout our history by the men of our fighting forces: NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim and designate the sixth day of July nineteen hundred and forty-seven as John Paul Jones Bicentennial Day, and I direct the appropriate officials of the Federal Government to have the flag of the United States displayed from public buildings on that day. I also request State and local officials, civic organizations, and interested individuals to observe the day with ceremonies which will reflect honor upon the career of this Naval hero and strengthen the pride of the American people in their Navy and its glorious achievements. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed. DONE at the City of Washington this second day of July in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-seven, and of [SEAL] the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-first. By the President: G C MARSHALL Secretary of State HARRY S TRUMAN AIR FORCE DAY, 1947 July 10, 1947 [No. 2737] Proclamation of Aug. 1, 1947, as Air Force Day. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS the Army Air Forces contributed immeasurably to our victory over the enemy in Europe and Asia, and stands ever ready to defend our nation in time of danger; and WHEREAS our appreciation of liberty is strengthened by our recollection of the achievements of the living and the sacrifices of the dead, which through four decades have nurtured the growth of American air power; and WHEREAS August 1, 1947, marks the fortieth anniversary of the birth of the Army Air Forces: NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, in order that we may more justly honor the men and women of the Army Air Forces and more fully acknowledge the contributions of all those who have developed and maintained our nation's air strength, do hereby proclaim Friday, August 1, 1947, as Air Force Day, and invite the Governors of all the States to issue proclamations calling for the observance of that day; and I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on that day. I remind all of our citizens that the air power of the nation is es- sential to the preservation of our liberty, and that the continued development of the science of air transportation is vital to the trade and commerce of a peaceful world. 1074 [61 STAT.