Proclamation from President John Broward and the Congress of the United States

Issued from Omaha, Nebraska, April 21, 1999

To the People of the United States:

Fellow Americans,

In these darkest days, we must look to the Constitution as our guide and guardian. Through war, division, and crisis, it has provided the framework for our survival as a nation. Today, I stand before you as President of the United States, confirmed by the reconstituted Congress, to reaffirm our commitment to that Constitution, the rule of law, and the principles of liberty and democracy that unite us.

The nuclear attacks of 1997 decimated our government. The deaths of President Tanner, Vice President Pemberton, Speaker Munson, and so many others left a void in leadership unprecedented in our history. Despite these losses, the Constitution remains intact. It provides the path forward, even under extraordinary circumstances.

When Congress was finally able to convene, irregular though the process may have been, its duty was clear: to restore civilian governance and ensure the continuity of the republic. With the line of succession in disarray, I, as the last surviving cabinet member confirmed by the Senate under President Tanner, was called to assume the presidency. This action, taken in consultation with the reconstituted Congress, honors both the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

To those who question the legitimacy of this Congress and my presidency, I say this: extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. The surviving members of Congress are not perfect in their composition or representation, but they are guided by the same principles that guided the Framers in 1787. The Constitution does not demand perfection; it demands perseverance. Every effort has been made to respect its provisions, even under conditions that the Founders could scarcely have imagined.

I urge all Americans to stand with us as we rebuild. The principles of representative democracy and civilian authority must prevail, as they have in every crisis we have faced—from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the challenges of the last century. Our government derives its power from the consent of the governed, not the authority of arms. This is the foundation of our republic and the promise we must keep for future generations.

To General Cummings and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I commend your service and sacrifice. You have kept this nation together under unimaginable conditions. But the time has come to restore the proper balance of governance. The military exists to defend our nation, not to govern it. I call upon you to honor the Constitution and stand down, allowing the civilian government to resume its rightful role.

To the American people, I pledge this: we will continue to rebuild, guided by the Constitution, and we will restore what has been lost. We ask for your patience, your resilience, and your faith in the enduring principles of liberty, justice, and democracy. Together, we will weather this storm, as we have weathered so many before.

May God bless the United States of America and guide us in this endeavor.

Signed,
President John Broward
The Congress of the United States