As told to me by one of my pals,
Tom L.
pms wrote:
> Damn. Is it May already?
>
> 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > # # #
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >To comment on this service: feedback at www.whitehouse.gov
> >
> >