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Skriven 2007-06-06 23:30:48 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070606) for Wed, 2007 Jun 6
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Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 6, 2007

Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2007

˙˙White House News


A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

The American Flag represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of our
Nation's ideals since the earliest days of our Nation. Wherever it flies,
we are reminded of America's unity and in the great cause of liberty and
justice for all.

Two hundred and thirty years ago, the Second Continental Congress
officially made the Stars and Stripes the symbol of America. The Founders
declared that the 13 stars gracing the original flag represented "a new
constellation," just as America embodied new hope and new light for
mankind. Today, our flag continues to convey the bold spirit of a proud and
determined Nation.

Americans have long flown our flag as a sign of patriotism and gratitude
for the blessings of liberty. We also pledge allegiance to the flag as an
expression of loyalty to our country and to the belief in the American
creed of freedom and justice. By displaying and showing respect for the
flag, we honor the ideals upon which our democracy rests and show
appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Flying the flag can also be
an expression of thanks for the men and women who have served and
sacrificed in defense of our freedoms -- from the early patriots of the
Continental Army to the courageous Americans in uniform who are defending
those freedoms around the world today.

During Flag Day and National Flag Week, we honor Old Glory and reflect on
the foundations of our freedom. As citizens of this great Nation, we are
proud of our heritage, grateful for our liberty, and confident in our
future.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution
approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of
each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual
proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of
the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also
requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat.
194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week
in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and calling upon all
citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2007, as Flag Day and the week
beginning June 10, 2007, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate
officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during
that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag
Week by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable
places. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with
pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence
Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor
America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and
to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United
States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of June, in
the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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