

			   THE WHITE HOUSE
  
		    Office of the Press Secretary
  
  _______________________________________________________________
  For Immediate Release                             April 6, 1994
  
  
	NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY, 1994
  
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	  BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  
			   A PROCLAMATION
  
  
       The Armed Forces of the United States of America have faced 
  hostile actions in every decade of this century.  Over 200,000 
  American service members are currently serving overseas, many in 
  situations where armed conflict is an ever-present possibility.  
  Recent events in Somalia and continuing peacekeeping operations 
  in Bosnia and elsewhere keep us fully mindful of the high risks 
  that even humanitarian missions entail.
  
       Over the more than two hundred years of our Independence, 
  thousands of Americans have fallen into the hands of our 
  enemies.  Many did not survive the ordeal.  Many who did return 
  from captivity had suffered unrelenting indignities, physical 
  and psychological abuse, and unspeakable torture.
  
       Despite deprivation and suffering inflicted by their 
  captors, these brave Americans persevered, maintained their 
  honor, and kept faith with each other and with the American 
  people.  In the Congress, in State and local government, and in 
  civic organizations across the Nation, former prisoners of war 
  still keep faith with America through their continued service 
  in positions of leadership and trust.
  
       These men and women rank with our greatest patriots; no 
  group of citizens is more deserving of remembrance and special 
  recognition than our former prisoners of war.
  
       The Congress, by Public Law 103-60, has designated 
  April 9, 1994, as "National Former Prisoner of War Recognition 
  Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a 
  proclamation in observance of the occasion.
  
       NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
  United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 9, 1994, as 
  National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.  I urge all 
  American citizens to join in honoring members of the Armed 
  Forces of the United States who have been held as prisoners of 
  war.  I also call upon Federal, State, and local government 
  officials and private organizations to observe this day with 
  appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
  sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred 
  and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the United States 
  of America the two hundred and eighteenth.
  
  
  
				     WILLIAM J. CLINTON
  
  
  
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