I have also asked the Secretary to make clear to the Bureau of International Expositions that the United States, and its many State and local governments, will warmly welcome foreign participation-both public and private--in our Bicentennial.

I bring with me the best wishes, the friendship of all the people of the United States for the people of these countries because we Americans feel friendship for the Austrian people, for the Russian people, for the people of Iran, and for the Polish people.

Now, Therefore, I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Tuesday, October 24, 1972, as United Nations Day.

This is a trend which augurs well for the future of ordered freedom in the United States.

The United States stands ready to do its fair share in international efforts to achieve these aims, and expects that other nations will do the same.

I urge the people of the United States to show their reverence and respect for the mothers of this country by special expressions of affection and gratitude.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-sixth.

I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of May 1972 as National Arthritis Month.

The United States, with the full concurrence of our South Vietnamese allies, has offered the maximum of what any President of the United States could offer.

As the symbol of our country and our freedoms, the national colors of the United States provide a welcome greeting of warm promise.

The flag of the United States should be one of the first things seen at our Customs ports of entry, both by American citizens returning from abroad and by travelers from other countries.

The United States is a better country because this good man lived his long life among us these past 77 years.

I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Let us imagine for a moment what the world would be like if the United States were not respected in the world.

I, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 28, 1972 as National Arbor Day.

The ability of our two nations, Canada and the United States, to preserve the frontiers of friendship, to walk in the ways of freedom, and to pursue the works of peace provides example and encouragement to all who seek those same objectives, wherever they may live.

The first official visitor who came to the United States after I was inaugurated as President of the United States was the Prime Minister.

The Cost of Living Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council), established by section 2 of Executive Order No. 11615 of August 15, 1971, is hereby continued and shall continue to act as an agency of the United States.