Proclamation 6256.
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105 STAT. 2499 Proclamation 6256 of March 4, 1991 Vermont Bicentennial Day, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation On March 4, 1791, the Republic of Vermont became the 14th State in our Union—the first to join the original thirteen. The Vermont State motto, “Freedom and Unity,” is a fitting tribute to the history of the State and to the character of its people. Long before Vermont entered the Union, its inhabitants demonstrated great devotion to those ideals, ideals on which the United States is founded.
In our Nation’s War for Independence, as in every great struggle for freedom since, Vermonters made distinguished contributions. Today. Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, tenacious fighters who played decisive roles at the Battles of Bennington and Ticonderoga, are remembered among America’s great Revolutionary War heroes. Their fierce love for the land and their fervent devotion to the cause of freedom and independence were shared by hundreds of other settlers from the region that became our 14th State.
Vermont’s dedication to freedom was also evident in its first constitution—written in 1777, it forbade slavery and adopted universal male suffrage. Indeed, by the beginning of the Civil War, in which it played a major role, Vermont had a long-standing reputation as one of the most firmly abolitionist States. The 16 Vermont regiments dispatched to the Union Anny during the Civil War represented the highest number of troops per capita of any State. Vermonters not only fought bravely for the preservation of the Union and for an end to slavery, they also made vital contributions at the pivotal Battle of Cedar Creek.
Over the years, countless other Vermonters have made outstanding contributions to our country. Distinguished natives of the Green Mountain State include the eloquent Stephen Douglas, remembered by many for his forceful arguments during the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates: the inventor, Thomas Davenport; Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur; and Warren R. Austin, the first United States Representative to the United Nations. Today, Vermonters take just pride in their heritage as a State committed to the ideals of freedom and unity.
That heritage goes hand in hand with a rich legacy of growth and development. Beloved by millions of visitors for its breathtaking mountains and unspoiled beauty, Vermont is also home to a number of vital industries, ranging from electronics to agricultural production. In recognition of Vermont’s contributions to the United States and in commemoration of its Bicentennial, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 58, has designated March 4, 1991, as “Vermont 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 March 4, 1991, as Vermont Bicentennial Day. 105 STAT. 2500 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6257 March 7, 1991 For National Days of Thanksgiving, April 5–7, 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6257 of March 7, 1991 For National Days of Thanksgiving, April 5–7, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As the Psalmist wrote, “O give thanks to the Lord for He is gracious, for His mercy endures for ever.
” Almighty God has answered the prayers of millions of people with the liberation of Kuwait and the end of offensive operations in the Persian Gulf region. As we prepare to welcome home our courageous service men and women and join in the joyful celebrations of the Kuwaiti people, it is fitting that we give thanks to our Heavenly Father, our help and shield, for His mercy and protection. Asking Him to judge not our worthiness but our need and protection, and knowing that the Lord gives victory “not by might, nor by power,” we prayed for a swift and decisive victory and for the safety of our troops.
Clearly, the United States and our coalition partners have been blessed with both. We thank the Lord for His favor, and we are profoundly grateful for the relatively low number of allied casualties, a fact described by the commanding general as “miraculous.” Nevertheless, because each and every human life is precious, because the massive scale of Operation Desert Storm must never diminish the loss of even one service member, we also remember and pray for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in this conflict.
May the Lord welcome all who have fallen into the glory of Heaven, and may He strengthen and console their families in their hour of need. May it also please our Heavenly Father to grant a full recovery to those military personnel wounded in action. We also give thanks for the remarkable unity of our people throughout this conflict—a unity marked by heartfelt and generous support for our troops in the field and, in the American tradition, respect for the rights of those who dissent.
May our Nation emerge from this conflict stronger and more united, to face as one united people the challenges and opportunities before us. As we unite in thanksgiving to Almighty God, let us pray in a special way for the innocent men, women, and children—wherever they may be—who have suffered as a result of the conflict in the Gulf. Recalling the words of President Wilson shortly after World War I, let us seek forgiveness for any “errors of act or purpose” and pray for God’s help and guidance on the way that lies ahead.
May the resolution of remaining questions and concerns, especially the return of all prisoners of war and the freeing of those who are detained, be as timely and as certain as this victory in battle. 105 STAT. 2501 Finally, seeing before us the promise of a safer, more peaceful world— one marked by respect for the rule of law—let us offer all these entreaties in a spirit of faith, humility, and gratitude, seeking reconciliation with all peoples. In so doing, we recall the timeless prayer found in Scripture:
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory . . . for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine . . . and Thou reignest over all . . . in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious Name. As the Psalmist wrote, “Come behold the works of the Lord . . . He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 5–7, 1991, as National Days of Thanksgiving.
I ask that Americans gather in homes and places of worship to give thanks to Almighty God for the liberation of Kuwait, for the blessings of peace and liberty, for our troops, our families, and our Nation. In addition. I direct that the flag of the United States be flown on all government buildings, I urge all Americans to display the flag, and I ask that bells across the country be set ringing at 3:00 p.m. (eastern daylight savings time) on April 7, 1991, in celebration of the liberation of Kuwait and the end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6258 March 8, 1991 National School Breakfast Week, 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6258 of March 8, 1991 National School Breakfast Week, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For more than two decades, the School Breakfast Program has helped to promote the health and well-being of our Nation’s schoolchildren.
By helping to ensure that youngsters enter the classroom with the energy and stamina needed to be eager and attentive students, this important child nutrition program has also contributed to the success of America’s educational system. The School Breakfast Program began in 1966 as a pilot project that provided funding for meals for schoolchildren in low-income areas and in areas where children had to travel long distances to school. In 1975, the Program was permanently established, and funding was made available to all schools.
Today approximately four million children in more than 38,000 schools receive nutritious morning meals through the School Breakfast Program. 105 STAT. 2502 Parents and educators across the country endorse the School Breakfast Program because they believe that it improves youngsters’ ability to learn. For the same reason, States have sought to expand the Program in their schools, and some mandate participation. Federal officials are proud to work with State leaders, educators, food service professionals, parents, and others in making the School Breakfast Program available to our children.
Their cooperative efforts are a wonderful example of a successful partnership between Federal and State governments and local communities. They also play an important role in meeting our first National Education Goal: ensuring that, by the year 2000, all children in America start school ready to learn. In recognition of the School Breakfast Program, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 98, has designated the week of March 4 through March 10, 1991, as “National School Breakfast Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week of March 4 through March 10, 1991, as National School Breakfast Week. I urge all Americans to observe this week in honor of those individuals at the Federal, State, and local levels whose efforts contribute so much to the success of this valuable program. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth.
GEORGE BUSH 6259 March 12, 1991 Irish-American Heritage Month, 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6259 of March 12, 1991 Irish-American Heritage Month, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Each ethnic group in America has made unique contributions to the ever-unfolding story of the United States. This month, as we celebrate the life of Saint Patrick, the beloved Apostle of Ireland, we also celebrate the hardy character, the rich cultural heritage, and the many valuable contributions of Irish-Americans.
By 1776, the year that opened the first chapter in the dramatic history of our Republic, some 300,000 Irish citizens had emigrated to the United States. Many of these courageous individuals played crucial roles in America’s War for Independence. Indeed, nine of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Irish origin, as was Commodore John Barry, the first naval commander commissioned by the Continental Congress. Irish-Americans serving in a division of George Washington’s forces known as the Pennsylvania Line were so impressive, they moved General Henry Lee to note that it “might with more propriety had been called the Line of Ireland.” 105 STAT. 2503 Since Irish-Americana not only helped to win America’s Independence but also helped to fashion a system of government for our young Nation, it seems fitting that an Irish-born architect, James Hoban, designed the White House and assisted in the building of the United States Capitol.
These magnificent structures have symbolized freedom and democracy to generations of men and women around the world. Today the distinct “Line of Ireland” can still be traced throughout American culture. American literature, for example, has been greatly enriched by the contributions of gifted Irish-American writers such as Eugene O’Neill and Edwin O’Connor. Throughout the arts—and throughout education, government, business, science, and agriculture— talented men and women of Irish descent continue to merit the honor we give to them and to their ancestors.
Indeed, in recent years, renewed immigration from Ireland and the revival of interest by all Americans in their roots have led to an increasingly vibrant Irish-American culture. The dramatic expansion of university courses in Irish studies and the countless annual Saint Patrick’s Day parades held throughout the United States all attest to the continued vigor of the Irish-American heritage. In tribute to all Irish-Americans, the Congress, by Public Law 101–418, has designated March 1991 as “Irish-American Heritage Month” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this occasion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1991 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the contributions Irish-Americans have made to our country and to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth.
GEORGE BUSH 6260 March 15, 1991 National Employ the Older Worker Week, 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6260 of March 15, 1991 National Employ the Older Worker Week, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Millions of older Americans are both willing and able to put their knowledge and experience to work for our country. Providing greater opportunities for them to do so is not only a wonderful way to demonstrate appreciation for these valued members of our society, it is also a sound investment in America’s future.
By helping senior citizens to remain in the work force or to pursue second careers after retirement, we can enhance America’s competitive edge in the global economy. By encouraging older Americans to share their wisdom and skills as volunteers, we can strengthen and enrich our communities. 105 STAT. 2504 Numerous employers already recognize the potential contributions of older men and women, and, today, programs for their hiring, retraining, and job retention are well established across the country.
Through a variety of programs—including programs launched as a result of the Older Americans Act of 1965—the Federal Government, State and local agencies, and members of the private sector are promoting meaningful opportunities for older workers. These various public and private efforts not only enable senior citizens to remain active, independent, and productive members of society but also allow our country to benefit from their insight and resourcefulness. Recognizing all of these benefits, I have proposed a liberalization of the Social Security earnings test in the Fiscal Year 1992 budget.
If enacted, this proposal would allow older workers to continue to earn more income after age 65 before having their Social Security benefits reduced. To focus public attention on the accomplishments and the potential of older workers, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 133, has designated the week of March 10 through March 16, 1991 as “National Employ the Older Worker Week” and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week of March 10 through March 16, 1991, as National Employ the Older Worker Week.
I urge the Nation’s public officials, leaders in business and labor, and voluntary organizations to provide meaningful opportunities for older workers. I also encourage all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6261 March 19, 1991 National County Government Week, 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Proclamation 6261 of March 19, 1991 National County Government Week, 1991 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Although many Americans are just beginning to understand its special role in our Federal system, county government has a long and rich history in the United States.
In fact, it is one of the oldest forms of local government in America, existing before many States and cities. Colonists divided part of Virginia into eight shires or counties as early as 1634, and the first counties in Massachusetts were formed in 1643. Today approximately 98 percent of the Nation’s people reside in counties. During the 1800s and the early part of this century, the primary functions of county government involved the administration of justice, law enforcement, and the building and maintenance of roads.
In recent dec-105 STAT. 2505ades, however, the responsibilities of county government have grown enormously. The duties of our Nation’s county governments now range from the preservation of public safety to environmental protection. While every county is unique, these government entities direct housing and community development programs; they maintain parks, airports, and transit systems; and they work to solve area-wide problems such as air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, and drug trafficking.
For many ill, elderly, and low-income Americans, the county is often the only available source of help in obtaining health care and other social services. The National Association of Counties reports that county governments, employing more than 2.9 million people, spent almost $111 billion in 1990 to provide services to the public. National County Government Week is a fitting time to reaffirm the continued importance of a strong partnership between City, County, State, and Federal Government—particularly in areas such as education, transportation, and the fight against drug abuse.
In recent years, more and more Americans have realized what many have known all along: that the answer to many of the problems before us can be found, not in bigger Federal Government, but in effective local leadership and cooperation between citizens and public officials at all levels. Indeed, we know that government closest to the people is truly government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” This is the essence of federalism and democracy, and it is the key to meeting many of the challenges and opportunities before our country.
In recognition of the Nation’s county governments, the Congress, by Public Law 101–470, has designated the week of April 7 through April 13, 1991, as “National County Government Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of April 7 through April 13, 1991, as National County Government Week. I call upon the American people and their elected representatives at all levels of government to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth. GEORGE BUSH 6262 March 20, 1991 Education Day, U.S.A., 1991 Digitization Vendor By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
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- Pub. L. 101-418
- Pub. L. 101-470
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Proclamation 6256
Pub. L.Pub. L. 101-418
Pub. L.Pub. L. 101-470
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