103 STAT. 3064 PROCLAMATION 5999—JULY 20, 1989 violability of human rights on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and guaranteed them for futiu-e generations. As we celebrate the bicentennial of the French Revolution and the Dec- laration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, we note with pride that our two countries remain committed to the principles of individual lib- erty, equality, and representative government. Two centuries ago, the great American patriot Thomas Paine observed: "The Revolutions of America and France have thrown a beam of light over the world, which reaches into man." Today, we rejoice in the fact that the bright promise of freedom not only continues to shine on both sides of the Atlantic, but also continues to grow stronger around the world. The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 298, has designated July 14, 1989, as "National Day to Commemorate the Bastille Day Bicentennial," and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 14, 1989, as a National Day to Commemorate the Bicentennial of Bastille Day, the French Revolution, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and I urge them to renew their support for the just aspirations of all peoples who seek freedom and self-determi- nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hun- dred and foxu-teenth. GEORGE BUSH Editorial note: For the President's remarks of July 7, 1989, on signing Proclamation 5998, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 25, p. 1038). Proclamation 5999 of July 20, 1989 Space Exploration Day, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Twenty years ago, on July 20, 1969, American astronauts landed on the Moon, changing forever our perception of the imiverse and our relation to it. That "giant leap for mankind," a quarter of a million miles from Earth, was more than a trivunph of human ingenuity, skill, and cour- age—^it was a tribute to the indomitable American spirit. The lunar landing would not have been possible without the vision, de- termination, and technological genius that Americans, working togeth- er, have demonstrated throughout our Nation's history. Like the Viking and Voyager missions, the space shuttle, and other programs that have since followed, the lunar landing gave compelling testimony to the faith and tenacity of the American people. It also reflected the extraordinary
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