[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 13 (Friday, January 21, 2005)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 3275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1256]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 13 / Friday, January 21, 2005 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 3275]]


                Proclamation 7864 of January 14, 2005

                
Religious Freedom Day, 2005

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                George Washington wrote, ``The liberty enjoyed by the 
                people of these States, of worshipping Almighty God 
                agreeably to their consciences, is not only among the 
                choicest of their blessings, but also of their 
                rights.'' On Religious Freedom Day, Americans 
                commemorate the passage of the Virginia Statute for 
                Religious Freedom in 1786, which helped set the course 
                for freedom of religion to be included in the First 
                Amendment to our Constitution.

                Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of 
                religion to a stable and lasting Union. Our 
                Constitution protects individuals' rights to worship as 
                they choose. Today, we continue to welcome the 
                important contributions of people of faith in our 
                society. We reject religious bigotry in every form, 
                striving for a society that honors the life and faith 
                of every person. As we maintain the vitality of a 
                pluralistic society, we work to ensure equal treatment 
                of faith-based organizations and people of faith.

                As the United States advances the cause of liberty, we 
                remember that freedom is not America's gift to the 
                world, but God's gift to each man and woman in this 
                world. This truth drives our efforts to help people 
                everywhere achieve freedom of religion and establish a 
                better, brighter, and more peaceful future for all.

                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, 2005, as 
                Religious Freedom Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                reflect on the great blessing of religious freedom, to 
                endeavor to preserve this freedom for future 
                generations, and to commemorate this day through 
                appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, 
                and places of worship.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 05-1256
Filed 1-19-05; 9:29 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P