[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 2005)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41931-41932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14451]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 138 / Wednesday, July 20, 2005 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 41931]]


                Proclamation 7913 of July 15, 2005

                
Captive Nations Week, 2005

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America stands for freedom and supports those who are 
                oppressed. During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our 
                commitment to advancing democracy, defending liberty, 
                and protecting human rights around the world.

                When President Eisenhower issued the first Captive 
                Nations Week proclamation in 1959, freedom was being 
                denied by communist regimes in Europe, Asia, and Latin 
                America. Millions were deprived of their rights to 
                freely practice religion, assemble in public, and 
                exercise freedom of speech. The Cold War and the 
                captivity of millions of people in Central and Eastern 
                Europe have since ended, and we have witnessed the rise 
                of democratic governments in countries across the 
                globe.

                Building a free and peaceful world is the work of 
                generations, and this work continues. America believes 
                that freedom is God's gift to each man and woman in 
                this world and that spreading freedom's blessings is 
                the calling of our time. We are continuing to work to 
                help spread liberty and democracy to people who have 
                known fear and oppression. The gains in places like 
                Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Georgia have been 
                achieved through the courage, determination, and 
                sacrifice of millions of men and women in those 
                countries, with the assistance of the United States and 
                other allies.

                As a Nation forged from the ideals of freedom, justice, 
                and human dignity, we will continue speaking out on 
                behalf of oppressed people. We will support the growth 
                of democratic movements and institutions in every 
                nation. This young century will be liberty's century, 
                and during Captive Nations Week, we pledge to advance 
                the cause of liberty for all people.

                The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 
                1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the 
                President to issue a proclamation designating the third 
                week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 17 
                through July 23, 2005, as Captive Nations Week. I call 
                upon the people of the United States to observe this 
                week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to 
                reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty, 
                justice, and self-determination.

[[Page 41932]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 05-14451
Filed 7-19-05; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P