Reading Room Document

Issuance of Commemorative Proclamations

The document discusses the issuance of commemorative proclamations by the President, outlining that some are issued based on tradition and others are issued as a result of joint resolutions of Congress. It concludes that the President has discretion in issuing proclamations based on tradition and that all proclamations are purely hortatory and without legal force. The document also suggests that the number of proclamations presented to the President could be reduced if Congress reviewed existing requests and substituted them with requests for permanent proclamations.

September 20, 1977