Proclamation 5799 -- Law
Day, U.S.A., 1988
April 20, 1988
By
the President of the United States of
America
A
Proclamation
For
more than three decades our country has observed May 1 as Law Day, U.S.A., in grateful
recognition that our free Republic is a government of laws, not men. On Law
Day, U.S.A., we join in proud commemoration of America's legacy of liberty,
justice, and self-government, and we pause to salute those past and present who
have served and sacrificed to win and protect our freedom and to preserve law
and tranquility in our communities -- including the men and women of law
enforcement whose daily courage and dedication make our laws and liberties a
living reality.
Because
ours is a government by consent of the people, we are our own lawgivers; hence,
the virtuousness of our laws depends on our individual and civic virtues. That
is truly something to remember on any Law Day, U.S.A., but especially in a
national election year, when we recall how important it is that each of us be
familiar with our rights and liberties and with the legal and political
guarantees of our freedoms. Only through knowledge, awareness, and love of
country can we take full part in the self-government that is ours as Americans
to perpetuate.
This
is why all Americans of legal voting age should make up their minds, this year
and each year, to vote in every election for which they are eligible and to
observe all election laws faithfully. By voting, we have our say in who our
representatives are and thereby in the shaping of laws that affect us, our
communities, our States, and our Nation. We should always remember that those
who vote not only demonstrate their voice in public affairs but also exercise
one of the precious rights for which brave people around the globe today fight
and die just as did our ancestors. Let us understand that our voting is a way
to keep faith with them, with our fellow citizens, with the brave Americans who
defend us at home and abroad, and with all who cherish our American heritage of
liberty, justice, and equality before the law.
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of
America, in accordance with Public Law 87 - 20 of April
7, 1961,
do hereby proclaim Sunday, May 1, 1988, as Law Day, U.S.A. I urge the people of
the United States to use this occasion to
reflect on our birthright of freedom, to express gratitude to those who protect
our country and our communities, to familiarize themselves with the need to
vote, and to encourage and assist others to vote. I ask the legal profession,
schools, public bodies, libraries, courts, the communications media,
businesses, the clergy, civic, service, and fraternal organizations, and all
interested individuals and organizations to join in efforts to focus attention
on voting. I also call upon all public officials to display the flag of the United States on all government
buildings on Law Day, U.S.A.
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of April, in the
year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and
twelfth.
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed with the Office
of the Federal Register, 4:40 p.m., April 20, 1988]