This message was brought to you by the US Dept of Defense, live from Belgrade.
At 11:43 AM 5/1/99 -0400, you wrote:
>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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>
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