U.N. Day Message of the United States President
From The White House To: Yucca -- Global Peace Walk, Post Office Box 170245 San Francisco, California 94117
[This message was later received by mail in San Francisco and first received in New York City on October 25, 1995, by fax from the White House in response to our faxed request to President Clinton for his message of support to be included in the Global Peace Walk compilation of such messages for delivery to the United Nations. The faxed copy reached us in time to be included in the documents hand delivered by Rev. Yamato to the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations on October 26, 1995]
UNITED NATIONS DAY, 1995
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
FIfty years ago, at the end of the most destructive war the world has ever
known, delegates from fifty-one countries met in San Francisco to establish
the United Nations. Inspired by a common determination "to save succeeding
generations from the scourge of war," the delegates recognized that their
vision of a better world could not simply be defined by the absence of
conflict nor could peace be maintained without broad inter-national
cooperation. Thus they resolved to "unite our strength to maintain
international peace and security," to "promote social progress and better
standards of life," and to reaffirm universal human rights.
This year, the U.N., which now numbers 185 member countries, has continued its
tradition of promoting peace and security around the globe. Its agencies are
important instruments in the campaign to stop the proliferation of nuclear
arms and other weapons of mass destruction. It works to provide security for
the conduct of free elections. And United Nations troops strive to keep the
peace in the place of great importance to the United States---on the Kuwait
border, in the Mediterranean and in Europe.
We can also be proud of the U.N. agencies and programs that work to support
sustainable development, protect the environment, battle the spread of
disease, and promote human rights. In fighting the deadly outbreak of the
Ebola virus, immunizing millions of children, and securing relief for hundreds
of thousands of refugees, agencies like the World Health Organization, UNICEF,
and the United Nations High Commissions for Human Rights and Refugees make
important contributions to the international community.
The U.N. enters its second half-century of service facing new opportunities
and challenges. If the nations of the world are to fully embrace these
opportunities and overcome challenges, we must work more closely together to
fully realize the principles of the original United Nations Charter and must
commit to improving the organization's efficiency and effectiveness. During
this momentous anniversary celebration, let us reaffirm the ideals,
principles, and goals contained in the Charter and rededicate ourselves to
working for the good of all humankind.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, October 24, 1995, as United
Nations Day. I encourage all Americans to acquaint themselves with the
activities and accomplishments of the U.N. and to observe this day with
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities furthering the goal of
international cooperation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of
October, in the year of our Lord ninteen hundred and ninety-five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.
(signed)
William J. Clinton