[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 23827-23828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11192]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 86 / Monday, May 5, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 23827]]


                Proclamation 7671 of April 30, 2003

                
Loyalty Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                To be an American is not a matter of blood or birth. 
                Our citizens are bound by ideals that represent the 
                hope of all mankind: that all men are created equal, 
                endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and 
                the pursuit of happiness. On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm 
                our allegiance to our country and resolve to uphold the 
                vision of our Forefathers.

                Our founding principles have endured, guiding our 
                Nation toward progress and prosperity and allowing the 
                United States to be a leader among nations of the 
                world. Throughout our history, honorable men and women 
                have demonstrated their loyalty to America by making 
                remarkable sacrifices to preserve and protect these 
                values.

                Today, America's men and women in uniform are 
                protecting our Nation, defending the peace of the 
                world, and advancing the cause of liberty. The world 
                has seen again the fine character of our Nation through 
                our military as they fought to protect the innocent and 
                liberate the oppressed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We 
                are honored by the service of foreign nationals in our 
                Armed Services whose willingness to risk their lives 
                for a country they cannot yet call their own is proof 
                of the loyalty this country inspires. Their service and 
                sacrifice are a testament to their love for America, 
                and our soldiers' honor on and off the battlefield 
                reaffirms our Nation's most deeply held beliefs: that 
                every life counts, and that all humans have an 
                unalienable right to live as free people.

                These values must be imparted to each new generation. 
                Our children need to know that our Nation is a force 
                for good in the world, extending hope and freedom to 
                others. By learning about America's history, 
                achievements, ideas, and heroes, our young citizens 
                will come to understand even more why freedom is worth 
                protecting.

                Last September, I announced several initiatives that 
                will help improve students' knowledge of American 
                history, increase their civic involvement, and deepen 
                their love for our great country. The We the People 
                initiative will encourage the teaching of American 
                history and civic education by providing grants for 
                curriculum development and training seminars. The Our 
                Documents initiative will use the Internet to bring 
                information about and the text of 100 of America's most 
                important documents from the National Archives to 
                classrooms and communities across the country. These 
                initiatives are important, for it is only when our 
                children have an understanding of our past that they 
                will be able to lead the future.

                This Loyalty Day, as we express allegiance to our 
                Nation and its founding ideals, we resolve to ensure 
                that the blessings of liberty endure and extend for 
                generations to come.

                The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has 
                designated May 1 of each year as ``Loyalty Day,'' and I 
                ask all Americans to join me in this day of celebration 
                and in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 
                2003, as Loyalty Day. I call upon

[[Page 23828]]

                all the people of the United States to join in support 
                of this national observance. I also call upon 
                government officials to display the flag of the United 
                States on all government buildings on Loyalty Day.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-11192
Filed 5-2-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P