Proclamation 6022.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-103/proclamation-6022·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
103 STAT. 3092 Proclamation 6022 of September 15, 1989 Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Two hundred years ago. the great experiment in free and democratic government launched by our Nation’s Founding Fathers was just beginning. Our Constitution—the oldest written national constitution still extant today—had been carefully drafted by 55 men gathered in Philadelphia during the long, hot summer of 1767. Today, we rejoice because the system of government it established has not only endured, but prospered.
Indeed, the great document we celebrate this week changed for-ever the course of human history. In 1787, the future of the United States was still uncertain. However, it was very clear that the Articles of Confederation—which had loosely assembled the 13 States in a “league of friendship”—needed to be revised. After our country’s independence was formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783 the cause that once united the 13 colonies had been won—and they fell to contentiousness and discord.
The Congress of the Confederation, then the central government of the United States, was nearly bankrupt. It had no authority to impose taxes and no power to collect them. The States were printing their own money, which was often worth little inside their borders and nothing beyond them Engaged in disputes over territorial boundaries and the use of each other’s ports and roadways, the former colonies were on the verge of splitting into 13 separate, wholly sovereign—perhaps even hostile—nations.
Their lack of unity left the young country highly vulnerable to the threats of European powers. A number of American leaders at the time, including Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, called for a convention of the States to reform the Articles of Confederation. George Washington, frustrated by the Congress’ inability to provide for the Continental Army, echoed their concerns when he sharply noted that “influence is no government.” Once relations between several of the States reached a crisis point, the Congress of the Confederation finally agreed to a Federal Convention.
Through months of intense debate and skillful compromise, the delegates to the Federal Convention carefully shaped our Constitution. Knowing the danger of relying upon human wisdom alone in forming a free and just government, they often prayed for Divine guidance as they defined the powers of the Congress and the President; established the manner in which legislators and the President would be elected; outlined the Judicial system; and asserted States’ rights. The Founding Fathers also provided for amendment, as well as ratification, of the Constitution.
More than 200 years after it was written, our Constitution is a glorious testament to the wisdom and foresight of its Framers. Today, we celebrate the success of their labors. The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights later added to it, has been a blessing to every American citizen and a light to the world. 103 STAT. 3093 All Americans have an obligation to ensure that this shining experiment in self-government continues to succeed. As citizens of a free Nation, each of us has both the right and the responsibility to become educated and informed; to vote for those who represent us; and to participate at all levels of government.
This week, let us give thanks for the freedom we so enjoy, and let us pause to learn more about our rights and duties as American citizens. For, as President Washington stated in his first Annual Message to the Congress: Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. . . . To the security of a free Constitution it contributes in various ways—by convincing those who are intrusted with the public administration that every valuable end of government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people, end by teaching the people themselves to know and value their own rights ... to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of authority ... to discriminate the spirit of Liberty from that of licentiousness—cherishing the first, avoiding the Iast—and uniting a speedy but temperate vigilance against encroachments. with an inviolable reaped to the laws.
The Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 153) designated September 17 as “Citizenship Day” in commemoration of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of all who. by birth or by naturalization, have attained the status of citizenship, and authorized the President to issue annually a proclamation calling upon officials of the government to display the flag on all government buildings on that day. Also, by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 159J, the Congress designated the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week” in recognition of the historic importance of the Constitution and the significant role it plays in our lives today.
NOW, THEREFORE. I. GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 1989, as Citizenship Day and call upon appropriate government officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings. I urge Federal. State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations. to conduct ceremonies and programs to commemorate the occasion. Furthermore, I proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23, 1989, a Constitution Week, and I urge all Americans to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred End fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6023 September 20, 1989 Law and Order in the Virgin Islands Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6023 of September 20, 1989 Law and Order in the Virgin Islands By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation WHEREAS;
I have been informed that conditions of domestic violence and disorder exist in and about the Virgin Islands endangering life and property and obstructing execution of the laws, and that the law en-103 STAT. 3094forcement resources available to that territory, including the National Guard, are unable to suppress such acts of violence and to restore law and order and WHEREAS; such domestic violence and disorder are also obstructing the execution of the laws of the United States, and endangering the security of Federal property and function, in and about the Virgin Islands.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, including Chapter 15 of Title 10 of the United States Code, do command all persons engaged in such acts of violence to cease and desist therefrom and to disperse and retire peaceably forthwith. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth.
GEORGE BUSH 6024 September 21, 1989 United States Marshals Bicentennial Day, 1989 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6024 of September 21, 1989 United States Marshals Bicentennial Day, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Two hundred years ago, on September 24, 1769, President George Washington signed into law Senate Bill Number One. known as the Judiciary Act This Act established the Federal judicial system and created the Office of the United States Marshal.
Only 2 days later, President Washington nominated the first United States marshals responsible for enforcing the Nation’s laws and carrying out the orders of its courts. Since then, United States marshals and their deputies have participated in many events shaping the development of our federal system of government. For more than a century, marshals and their deputies were the only civilian police power available to assist the President, the Congress, and the courts in upholding the rule of law in our rapidly expanding country.
As American pioneers pushed to the West, U.S. marshals faced grave dangers and constant hardship on the frontier. They later helped to maintain social order and facilitate the difficult task of Reconstruction following the Civil War. United States marshals also played a vital role in enforcing provisions of the Civil Rights Act during the turbulent years of the 1960’s. During 2 centuries of service to our country, more than 300 United States marshals and deputy marshals have died in the line of duty.
Their supreme sacrifice reveals the great personal risks that U.S. marshals continue to accept each day. Today, United States marshals are engaged in virtually every Federal law enforcement initiative. Marshals provide for the security of Federal courts, including the protection of judges, witnesses, jurors, and other 103 STAT. 3095court personnel. They play a major role in the pursuit and capture of fugitives from justice, and Federal prisoners awaiting trial or sentencing are entrusted to their custody.
They also operate the Witness Protection program, which is responsible for protecting persons who testify for the Government in major criminal cases. In one of their most important current functions, U.S. marshals administer the program under which the assets and profits of drug traffickers are seized, managed, and sold. The proceeds from such sales are used in our Nation’s fight against crime and drug abuse. This summer alone, the U.S. Marshals Service led an anti-drug effort involving ten local police agencies in the Nation’s Capital and its suburbs.
That initiative resulted in the arrest of hundreds of career drug criminals and the closing of scores of suspected “crack houses.” An unfailing respect for the rule of law and the rights of individual Americans has motivated the courageous men and women of the United States Marshals Service throughout its history. Their legacy of personal sacrifice and public service merits the appreciation of every American. In recognition of the vital efforts of our Nation’s oldest law enforcement agency, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 352 [Public Law 100–683) has designated September 24, 1989. as “United States Marshals Bicentennial Day” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I. GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 24, 1989. as United Stales Marshals Bicentennial Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, in recognition of the United States marshals’ important role in defending individual rights and upholding the rule of law. IN WITNESS WHEREOF. I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth.
GEORGE BUSH 6025 September 21, 1989 General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1989 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6025 of September 21, 1989 General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Forced to flee his native Poland after fighting in its unsuccessful struggle for independence. General Casimir Pulaski later became a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin once praised him as a man “famous throughout Europe for his bravery and conduct in defense of the liberties of his country.
” In the ultimate expression of that bravery, and in solidarity with the American colonists, Pulaski volunteered for the Continental Army and eventually became the leader of his own cavalry unit. While leading a charge during the siege of Savan-103 STAT. 3096nah on October 9, 1779, this dauntless freedom fighter was mortally wounded. He died 2 days later. Each year, on the October 11th anniversary of his death, we Americans pause to remember General Pulaski and the heartfelt convictions for which he gave his life.
General Pulaski clearly understood that liberty is the God-given right of all men. He believed that the cause of freedom is universal, and, like many of his contemporaries, viewed the American struggle for independence as a decisive battle for the future of all freedom-loving peoples. The American Revolution, if successful, would be a resounding victory fur the principles of individual liberty and representative government. With the generous assistance of brave and selfless allies like General Pulaski, the American colonists did succeed in their quest for independence.
And today, more than 2 centuries later, the triumphant call for freedom and self-government continues to reverberate throughout the world. That call can be heard dearly in General Pulaski’s homeland, where— despite years of repression by ruling Communist officials and Soviet military intervention in 1981—the Polish people have continued to demonstrate their fervent belief in the principles of freedom and self-determination. With faith, courage, and persistence, they have begun to reap the rewards of their efforts to obtain free elections, as well as political and economic reforms.
Today, we Americans offer our support and our prayers for the people of Poland as they continue seeking the blessings of freedom and representative government—blessings that General Casimir Pulaski helped win for us 210 years ago. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, October 11, 1989, as General Pulaski Memorial Day, and I direct the appropriate government officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on the day.
In addition, I encourage the people of the United States to commemorate this occasion as appropriate throughout the land. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6026 September 21, 1989 Emergency Medical Services Week, 1989 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6026 of September 21, 1989 Emergency Medical Services Week, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Many Americans are enjoying life today because at a time of crisis they received fast, professional assistance from emergency medical 103 STAT. 3097services [EMS] teams.
The success of these teams is due to the people—physicians, nurses, paramedics, park rangers, fire fighters, police officers, and communications personnel—who work together to care for the injured and critically ill. For some, working on an EMS team is a full-time career, while thousands of others work as volunteers. Whether full-time workers or volunteers, these men and women are highly trained professionals. They often perform their duties under difficult and even hazardous conditions.
Many risk their lives to rescue accident victims. All of these people make emergency medical services a national success. Despite this success, however, more than three-quarters of a million Americans a year still lose their lives as the result of medical emergencies. Emergency medical services teams across the country are working to improve this record. They are seeking to establish nationwide standards for training and delivery of care, to upgrade the skills of those already in service, and to devise new emergency techniques and equipment.
In addition to these efforts, they are working to teach the general public what to do when confronted with a medical emergency. We need to make our citizens aware of ways to prevent dangerous situations that can lead to serious injury. Americans also should learn specific actions they can take to reduce the severity of injuries and to help save lives. It is appropriate that as a Nation we recognize and encourage our local emergency medical services teams in their efforts to improve emergency care services, and to improve our own ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.
These efforts can only lead to a safer America. To enhance public awareness of the important public service emergency medical services teams perform, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 133, has designated the week beginning September 17, 1989, as “Emergency Medical Services Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of September 17 through September 23, 1989, as Emergency Medical Services Week.
I call upon all Americans to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6027 September 22, 1989 Commendation of the Citizens of the Sioux City, Iowa, Tri-State Area Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
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3 references not yet in our index
- 36 USC 153
- 36 USC 159J
- Pub. L. 100-683
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Proclamation 6022
Cite36 USC 153
Cite36 USC 159J
Pub. L.Pub. L. 100-683
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