Happy May Day !!!!!!!!
Doug Henwood
dhenwood at panix.com
Sat May 1 08:43:07 PDT 1999
Charles Brown wrote:
> HAPPY MAY DAY !
Don't forget that in the U.S., today is both Law Day and Loyalty Day!
Doug
----
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 30, 1999
LOYALTY DAY, 1999
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Born in the twilight of the 18th century, our great Nation has grown and
flourished, surviving a civil war, the Great Depression, two World Wars,
and the Cold War to emerge at the dawn of the 21st century as the world's
best hope for freedom. The success of that journey of challenge and change
was no accident. In 1787, when our founders came together to sign the
Constitution and "secure the Blessings of Liberty," honor individual
rights, and guarantee equality, they laid the foundations of a country that
would inspire the lasting loyalty and love of its citizens.
The courage and sacrifice of generations of Americans who have served in
our Armed Forces have sustained the vision of our Nation's founders. From
the fields near Lexington and Concord to the skies over Belgrade, nearly 50
million citizens have placed themselves in harm's way to defend our
freedom, promote our values, and advance our interests around the world.
Many of them have died in the process, willing to make the ultimate
sacrifice out of loyalty and devotion to our beloved country.
Millions of other generous men and women have proved their loyalty here at
home. They have enriched the lives of their fellow Americans by
volunteering in civic, religious, and school organizations. Throughout the
decades, they have worked to expand America's promise of justice and
equality to all our people, promoting civil rights, economic and
educa-tional opportunity, and political empowerment. In every era, they
have worked to address this country's challenges and renew our legacy of
citizen service. In doing so, they have strengthened our Nation from within
and provided a symbol of hope around the world for those who seek refuge in
a land where individual rights are revered and where their children can
grow up in peace and freedom.
Recognizing the importance of loyalty to the continued strength of our
country and success of our democracy, the Congress, by Public Law 85-529,
has designated May 1 of each year as "Loyalty Day." On this day, let us
reflect with pride on our great country and remember with gratitude the
contribu-tions of the many loyal and courageous Americans who have given so
much of themselves both at home and around the world to preserve our
freedom.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 1999, as Loyalty Day. I urge all
Americans to recognize the heritage of American freedom, to honor the
memory of those who have served and sacrificed in defense of that freedom,
and to express our loyalty to our Nation through appropriate patriotic
programs, ceremonies, and activities. I also call upon Govern-ment
offi-cials to display the flag of the United States in support of this
national observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 30, 1999
LAW DAY, U.S.A., 1999
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
America's founders recognized that the rule of law is the greatest
guarantor of freedom and justice, the crucial barricade protecting
civilization from chaos, democracy from tyranny. Among the chief grievances
they enumerated in the Declaration of Independence were that "the present
King of Great Britain . . . has refused his Assent to Laws, the most
wholesome and necessary for the public Good. . . . He has made Judges
dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the
Amount and Payment of their Salaries."
The Constitution and Bill of Rights reflect our founders' reverence for and
faith in the rule of law, and they stand as an enduring charter of freedom
and equality that continues to protect our fundamental rights today. But
only the passage of additional laws over time has fulfilled the promise of
justice enshrined in that charter. Amendments abolishing slavery and
guaranteeing due process and equal protection to everyone came only after
the Civil War -- nearly 80 years after the ratification of the
Constitution. It took almost another century, and the courageous and
persistent efforts of lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall, to establish that
the equal protection clause prohibits governments from enforcing
segregation in schools and other public arenas. Women did not gain the
right to vote until the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
During the past 4 decades, our Nation has continued to pursue the ideals of
justice and equality. President Kennedy and President Johnson fought to
enact what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights
Act of 1965, laws that safeguard the rights of citizens to vote, to work,
to use public accommo-dations, and to attend school free from illegal
discrimination. In 1967, President Johnson signed the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act to protect older Americans against discriminatory treatment
in their jobs. In 1990, President Bush signed into law the Americans with
Disabilities Act, landmark legislation that recognizes the right of people
with disabilities to have equal opportunity for employment and equal access
to public services. Building on the Americans with Disabilities Act, I
announced a new initiative in January of this year to remove significant
barriers that prevent people with disabilities from joining the work force.
We will invest more than two billion dollars over the next 5 years to
provide tax credits to offset critical and expensive transportation costs,
increased funding for assistive technology research, and greater access to
health care for people with disabilities.
In May of 1998, I was proud to sign Executive Order 13087, which amends
Federal equal employment opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation in the Federal civilian work force. My
Administration is working with congressional leaders to pass the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit most private employers
from firing good workers solely because they are gay or lesbian. And we
must secure equal pay legislation to ensure that women and minority
employees receive fair compensation for their work.
America's trust in the rule of law and our continuing quest for equality
under the law have defined our history for more than 200 years. Now, as we
look forward to a new century, we must renew our commitment to the spirit
of our Constitution and the strong foundation of civil rights laws that
guarantee both our freedom and our security. We must reaffirm our goal of
building an America where all people have an equal oppor-tunity to reach
their full potential and where no American is denied his or her rights
because of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious
beliefs, or disability. By doing so, we will fulfill our founders' vision
of a Nation where all citizens share equally in the blessings and
protections of the law.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of
America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20 of April 7, 1961, do hereby
proclaim May 1, 1999, as Law Day. I urge the people of the United States to
consider anew how our laws protect our freedoms and contribute to our
national well-being. I call upon members of the legal profession, civic
associations, educators, librarians, public officials, and the media to
promote the observance of this day with appropriate programs and
activities. I also call upon public officials to display the flag of the
United States on all government buildings throughout the day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-third.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
# # #
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