Week Ending Friday, June 17, 1994

Memorandum on Assistance to the Woven into the Stars and Stripes and into States of the Former Soviet Union the fabric of our Nation is the legacy of our June 6, 1994 Founders, who crafted a government built on a revolutionary respect for the rights of Presidential Determination No. 94–28 individuals. Coming ashore on this new con- tinent, they had fled the tyranny of Memorandum for the Secretary of State sovereigns: ‘‘We the People’’ were to be Subject: Assistance Program for the New sovereigns of this new land. Independent States of the Former Soviet On June 14, 1777, the Continental Con- Union gress established the design of a flag for the new Republic so that we might bestow our Pursuant to section 577 of the Foreign Op- loyalty, not to kings, but to countrymen, all erations, Export Financing, and Related Pro- of us created equal. Eleven years later, the grams Appropriations Act, 1994 (Titles I–V Constitutional Convention placed a written of Public Law 103–87), I hereby certify that rule of law at the symbolic head of govern- Russia and the Commonwealth of Independ- ment, and we have since pledged our alle- ent States continue to make substantial giance not only to the Stars and Stripes, but progress toward the withdrawal of their also ‘‘to the Republic for which it stands.’’ armed forces from Latvia and Estonia. We salute the achievement and wisdom of You are authorized and directed to notify our Founders, embodied in our flag, and we the Congress of this certification, and to pub- honor all of the men and women who have lish it in the Federal Register. upheld and defended the ideals stitched into William J. Clinton its billowing folds. Our flag’s bright stars, ancient symbols of [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, dominion and sovereignty, represent the con- 3:38 p.m., June 15, 1994] stellation of States in our federal system of NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- government—its stripes, the first States born fice of the Press Secretary on June 10, and it was of the original thirteen colonies. Its bright published in the Federal Register on June 17. This colors embody the essence of our American item was not received in time for publication in heritage: red, for valor; white, for hope and the appropriate issue. purity; and blue, the color of loyalty, rev- erence, justice, and truth. Witness to our Proclamation 6699—Flag Day and past, it holds aloft the promise of our future. National Flag Week, 1994 ‘‘Old Glory,’’ as it was nicknamed in 1831 by Navy Captain William Driver, was first June 10, 1994 carried into conflict at the Battle of Brandy- By the President of the United States wine on September 11, 1777. As the Nation of America now observes the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy, we honor the coura- A Proclamation geous Americans who carried our standard In this week we salute the flag of the into the infernos of war at all of our history’s United States of America: our history’s proud most critical crossroads. It has saluted the pennant; noble banner of freedom, liberty, final resting places of lives lost in the defense opportunity, and independence; and the glo- of liberty, from the beaches of Normandy to rious emblem of our national pride and patri- the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of otism. Iraq and Somalia.

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Our flag has been borne aloft into the States of America the two hundred and eight- heavens by our gallant astronauts and has eenth. been worn bravely on the shoulders of those William J. Clinton who each day risk their lives to protect the public safety. It flies freely from its place of [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, honor in classrooms, churches, businesses, 3:38 p.m., June 13, 1994] government buildings, and is proudly dis- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the played by Americans serving their Nation in Federal Register on June 15. This item was not distant points across the globe. Its silent, sol- received in time for publication in the appropriate emn presence makes each of those places issue. ‘‘home’’ and keeps the spirit of liberty alive in the hearts of Americans wherever they may be. Proclamation 6700—National Men’s To commemorate the adoption of our flag, Health Week, 1994 the Congress, by a joint resolution approved June 10, 1994 August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated By the President of the United States June 14 of each year Flag Day and requested of America the President to issue an annual Proclama- tion calling for its observance and for the dis- A Proclamation play of the Flag of the United States on all As this great country moves forward in its Government buildings. The Congress also re- commitment to address the many concerns quested the President, by joint resolution ap- related to the delivery of health care, we set proved June 9, 1966 (80 Stat. 194), to issue aside this week to give special attention to annually a Proclamation designating the those issues that affect the health of Amer- week in which June 14 occurs as National ican men. We have made enormous progress Flag Week, and calling upon all citizens of in medical technology and research, yet the the United States to display the flag during goal of extending human life expectancy will that week. not be fully realized until information on pre- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, vention, detection, and treatment of disease President of the United States of America, reaches all men and is used by all men. do hereby proclaim June 14, 1994, as Flag Tobacco use is the single most important Day and the week beginning June 12, 1994, preventable cause of death in the United as National Flag Week. I direct the appro- States, and currently 24 million American priate officials of the Government to display men smoke. It is a major risk factor for dis- the Flag of the United States on all Govern- eases of the heart and lungs and doubles the ment buildings during that week. I urge all risk of stroke among men. The risk of dying Americans to observe Flag Day, June 14, and from lung cancer is 22 times higher for men Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes who smoke. Those who continue to smoke from their homes and other suitable places. place themselves and those around them at great peril. It is imperative for this country I also call upon the American people to to focus its efforts on eliminating the use of observe with pride and all due ceremony tobacco products through education and those days from Flag Day through Independ- treatment programs. ence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 In the past decade, public awareness has Stat. 211), as a time to celebrate our heritage also been increased regarding the dangers of in public gatherings and activities and to pub- alcohol consumption and its impact on the licly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the health of American men. Alcohol abuse is, Flag of the United States of America. more frequently than not, a related factor in In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set motor vehicle fatalities, homicides, and sui- my hand this tenth day of June, in the year cides. It is becoming a special problem for of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- the young men in this country. Let us not four, and of the Independence of the United falter in our progress—the time has come

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