[Federal Register: December 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 237)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 68997-69000]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de03-142]                         


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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7742--National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2003


                        Presidential Documents 




___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

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                Proclamation 7742 of December 5, 2003

 
                National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than 60 years ago, President Franklin Delano 
                Roosevelt told Americans that December 7, 1941, was ``a 
                date which will live in infamy.'' On that morning, 
                America was attacked without warning and without 
                provocation. More than 2,400 Americans died and 1,100 
                were wounded. Our country was changed forever. 
                Following that attack, our citizens responded with the 
                strength and resolve that characterizes America in 
                times of adversity, and that same spirit and courage 
                carried us to victory in World War II. On National 
                Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the lives lost 
                in that attack and salute the veterans of World War II. 
                We also pay tribute to all those now serving America to 
                advance freedom around the world.

                The USS ARIZONA Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, stands as 
                a monument to that ship's 1,177 crew members who died 
                as a result of the attack. Since the Memorial's 
                dedication, more than 40 million visitors have honored 
                the heroism of these brave sailors and marines. Laura 
                and I had the opportunity to visit the Memorial in 
                October of this year. It is a fitting tribute to the 
                lives lost in defense of our freedom during the 
                greatest global conflict in history.

                America's liberty is sustained by the courage of the 
                American people. Every generation of Americans has 
                answered the call to protect the blessings of freedom 
                and democracy. With the help of our friends and allies, 
                the brave men and women of our Armed Forces are now 
                engaged in a global war on terrorism. And as in the 
                aftermath of the terrible attack on Pearl Harbor, our 
                Nation will stay the course, and we will prevail.

                The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has 
                designated December 7, 2003, as ``National Pearl Harbor 
                Remembrance Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                7, 2003, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I 
                encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all 
                Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and 
                individuals to fly the flag of the United States at 
                half-staff this December 7 in honor of those who died 
                as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-30750
Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P