[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19097-19098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9606]



[[Page 19095]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7540--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2002



Proclamation 7541--Jewish Heritage Week, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 17, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 19097]]

                Proclamation 7540 of April 12, 2002

                
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Pan America comprises a set of regional relationships 
                that connects the nations of the Western Hemisphere in 
                an increasingly interdependent network of commercial 
                and cultural communities. Every nation in Pan America, 
                with one notable exception, is committed to promoting 
                freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Over the past 
                year, the Pan American nations have become increasingly 
                united in purpose, seeking to ensure the preservation 
                of the freedoms inherent in democracy, to promote good 
                governance, to enhance economic development across the 
                hemisphere, to protect human rights, and to combat 
                terrorism, transnational crime, and narcotics 
                trafficking. Continued progress in achieving these 
                goals will greatly improve the future of the Americas.

                As a testament to the enduring spirit of cooperation 
                that binds us together as citizens of North, Central, 
                and South America, the Pan American nations have built 
                a common front against the threat of terrorism. Meeting 
                in consultation on September 19, 2001, the Organization 
                of American States (OAS) Permanent Council invoked the 
                Rio Treaty, declaring that the terrorist attacks of 
                September 11, were attacks against all of the Americas. 
                Later that same month, the OAS Foreign Ministers called 
                for measures to strengthen hemispheric cooperation and 
                adopted binding commitments, demonstrating that this 
                hemisphere is prepared to guard the freedoms that form 
                the foundation of democracy.

                This firm response to the terrorist acts followed 
                another milestone for the region, namely, the adoption 
                of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. In approving 
                this document by acclamation, the nations of the 
                Western Hemisphere established democracy as the 
                birthright of every person in the Americas. The words 
                of this charter affirm that governments cannot be 
                democracies in name only, but must build upon the 
                guiding principles of our time and struggle to ensure 
                the preservation of essential civil liberties.

                Pan America's unprecedented spirit of cooperation bodes 
                well for the 2004 Summit of the Americas, when we will 
                have the opportunity to review our progress and renew 
                commitments to enhancing hemispheric relationships. 
                Communication, trade, travel, and advances in 
                technology have all combined to produce unprecedented 
                levels of integration and interdependence in the 
                Western Hemisphere. And our continued efforts toward a 
                Free Trade Area of the Americas exemplify our 
                commitment to building a legal framework that opens the 
                way to self-sustaining and wide-ranging prosperity. The 
                free exchange of ideas and goods brings a unique 
                vitality to our region, and serves as a catalyst for 
                continuing economic development at the local and 
                national levels.

                This past year provided sobering evidence that our 
                freedoms are not free. We must continue to work 
                together as a unified community to support and defend 
                all peoples that are denied their rights and privileges 
                by governments that fail to respect the essential 
                elements of democracy and human rights. In countering 
                the threats of tyranny, poverty, and lawlessness, our 
                collective goal must be to further the partnership we 
                share as standard bearers of a bold vision. By working 
                together to promote democracy, free

[[Page 19098]]

                trade, economic prosperity, effective governance, and 
                human rights, we will keep the new Pan American spirit 
                of freedom and cooperation alive and well for 
                generations to come.

                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 April 14, 2002, as Pan 
                American Day and April 14 through April 20, 2002, as 
                Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 
                States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag 
                of the United States of America to honor these 
                observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of April, 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. 02-9606
Filed 4-16-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P