[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 2787-2788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1593]



[[Page 2785]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7517--Religious Freedom Day, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 13 / Friday, January 18, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 2787]]

                Proclamation 7517 of January 15, 2002

                
Religious Freedom Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our Republic, a 
                core principle of our Constitution, and a fundamental 
                human right. Many of those who first settled in 
                America, such as Pilgrims, came for the freedom of 
                worship and belief that this new land promised. And 
                when the British Colonies became the United States, our 
                Founders constitutionally limited our Federal 
                Government's capacity to interfere with religious 
                belief by prohibiting the Congress from passing any law 
                ``respecting an establishment of religion, or 
                prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'' These 
                constitutional limits have allowed the flourishing of 
                faith across our country, which greatly blesses our 
                land.

                George Washington forcefully expressed our collective 
                constitutional promise to protect the rights of people 
                of all faiths, in a historic letter he wrote to the 
                Jewish community at Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode 
                Island: ``the Government of the United States, which 
                gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no 
                assistance, requires only that they who live under its 
                protection should demean themselves as good 
                citizens....'' Today, our cities are home to 
                synagogues, churches, temples, mosques, and other 
                houses of worship that peacefully welcome Americans of 
                every belief. Preserving religious freedom has helped 
                America avoid the wars of religion that have plagued so 
                many cultures throughout history, with deadly 
                consequences.

                Today, as America wages war against terror, our resolve 
                to defend religious freedom remains as strong as ever. 
                Many miles from home, American service men and women 
                have risked their lives in our efforts to drive the 
                Taliban regime from power, ending an era of brutal 
                oppression, including religious oppression. At home, 
                Americans demonstrated the vitality of our religious 
                freedom in the enormous outreach by faith communities 
                to help those harmed by the terrorist attacks. In quiet 
                prayers offered to God in churches, synagogues, 
                temples, and mosques and in the helping hands of faith-
                based groups, Americans have shown a deep love for 
                others and genuine spiritual unity that will sustain us 
                through the difficult days of recovery.

                Religious Freedom Day provides us an opportunity to 
                celebrate America's commitment to protect the freedom 
                of religion. On this special day, I encourage all 
                Americans to renew their commitment to protecting the 
                liberties that make our country a beacon of hope for 
                people around the world who seek the free exercise of 
                religious beliefs and other freedoms.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 January 16, 2002, as 
                Religious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to observe 
                this day by asking for the blessing and protection of 
                Almighty God for our Nation, and to engage in 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities in their homes, 
                schools, and places of worship as a sign of our resolve 
                to protect and preserve our religious freedom.

[[Page 2788]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-1593
Filed 01-17-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P