[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20537-20538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8834]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 74 / Friday, April 16, 2004 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20537]]

                Proclamation 7771 of April 13, 2004

                
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2004

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year on Pan American Day and during Pan American 
                Week, we honor the bonds of friendship that unite the 
                Pan American community. With the exception of one 
                country, the nations of the Western Hemisphere 
                recognize the importance of working together to 
                strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic 
                prosperity, invest in our people, and improve our 
                security. At the recent 2004 Special Summit of the 
                Americas, the 34 democratic nations of the Western 
                Hemisphere reaffirmed their commitment to the Inter-
                American Democratic Charter to defend democracy and 
                freedom whenever they are threatened. Our unity and 
                support of democratic institutions, constitutional 
                processes, and basic liberties give hope and strength 
                to those struggling around the world.

                The nations of the Western Hemisphere will continue to 
                draw upon the Charter to strengthen the rule of law, 
                protect human rights and freedoms, encourage economic 
                growth, and promote good governance. As neighbors, we 
                are expanding prosperity through open markets and 
                economic reforms--creating new opportunities for 
                millions of people and continued economic progress 
                benefiting the nations of our hemisphere. My 
                Administration will continue to work toward the 
                creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, 
                scheduled for completion in 2005.

                To protect the rights and freedoms of all our citizens, 
                the Pan American community must also combat the forces 
                that threaten democracy: terrorism, drug trafficking, 
                and other crimes that transcend national borders. The 
                Declaration on Security in the Americas, adopted at the 
                October 2003 Organization of American States Special 
                Conference on Security, underscores our hemisphere's 
                interest in collectively maintaining peace and security 
                across the Americas. The United States welcomes the 
                opportunity to work with our neighbors to advance the 
                Declaration's goals to safeguard our citizens as we 
                build for a future that is peaceful, just, and 
                prosperous.

                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, 2004, as Pan 
                American Day and April 11 through April 17, 2004, 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.

[[Page 20538]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 04-8834
Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P