[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 3201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-553]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 3201]]


                Proclamation 7974 of January 13, 2006

                
Religious Freedom Day, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The right to religious freedom is a foundation of 
                America. On Religious Freedom Day, our Nation 
                celebrates the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for 
                Religious Freedom and the protection of religious 
                freedom in the First Amendment to the United States 
                Constitution.

                Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of 
                religion to a stable democracy, and our Constitution 
                protects individuals' rights to worship as they choose. 
                We reject religious discrimination in every form, and 
                we continue our efforts to oppose prejudice and to 
                counter any infringements on religious freedom.

                Today, we are also working to advance freedom of 
                religion abroad. The Department of State's Office of 
                International Religious Freedom plays an important role 
                in these efforts, advocating for religious freedom and 
                actively working against religious persecution around 
                the world. In recent years, we have seen important 
                progress, including in Vietnam, Laos, India, Georgia, 
                and the United Arab Emirates, and with the release of 
                many individuals in countries throughout the world who 
                had been imprisoned because of their faith. By helping 
                to secure the religious freedom of people in other 
                countries, we promote the spread of liberty and human 
                dignity.

                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, 2006, as 
                Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to 
                reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, 
                endeavor to preserve this freedom for future 
                generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate 
                events and activities in their schools, places of 
                worship, neighborhoods, and homes.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 06-553
Filed 1-18-06; 9:23 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P