[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 41091-41092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6403]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 139 / Thursday, July 20, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 41091]]

                Proclamation 8036 of July 13, 2006

                
Captive Nations Week, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The best hope for peace is the expansion of freedom 
                throughout the world. During Captive Nations Week, we 
                reaffirm our commitment to advancing liberty, 
                protecting human rights, and helping people realize the 
                great promise of democracy.

                In proclaiming the first Captive Nations Week in 1959, 
                President Dwight Eisenhower said that ``the citizens of 
                the United States are linked by bonds of family and 
                principle to those who love freedom and justice on 
                every continent.'' Over the past five decades, the 
                force of human freedom has overcome hatred and 
                resentment and overthrown tyrants in nations around the 
                globe. Freedom is on the march, and today more people 
                live in liberty than ever before.

                The advance of freedom is the story of our time, and we 
                have witnessed remarkable democratic progress in recent 
                years. The people of Afghanistan elected their first 
                democratic parliament in more than a generation. The 
                people of Kyrgyzstan drove a corrupt regime from power 
                and voted for democratic change. Ending 16 years of 
                civil war and interim governments, the people of 
                Liberia were able to go to the polls, electing Africa's 
                first female president. The courageous citizens of Iraq 
                reached yet another important milestone in their 
                journey towards democracy by forming a national unity 
                government based upon the constitution they approved 
                last October. In Lebanon, citizens recovered their 
                independence and chose their members of parliament in 
                free elections. That newfound independence has come 
                under attack in recent days from terrorists and their 
                state sponsors, who see freedom and democracy as a 
                threat. The United States and its allies will stand 
                with those in Lebanon who continue to struggle for 
                their independence and sovereignty and who refuse to 
                give over their country to extremism and terror.

                At this critical time in the history of freedom, no 
                nation can evade the demands of human dignity. In 
                countries like Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Burma, 
                Syria, Zimbabwe, and Cuba, governments must become 
                accountable to their citizens and embrace democracy. 
                The desire for freedom is written in every human heart, 
                and we can be confident that in this century freedom 
                will continue to prevail.

                This week is also an opportunity to honor those who 
                have stood against oppression and advanced the 
                fundamental right of all to live in liberty. The 
                courage and sacrifice of these men and women reflect 
                the fact that tyranny can never destroy the desire to 
                be free. Inspired by their example, we will carry on 
                their work to help others realize the universal gift of 
                liberty and to spread the light of democracy to every 
                corner of the world.

                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 16 
                through July 22, 2006, as Captive

[[Page 41092]]

                Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to reaffirm their commitment to all those 
                seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 06-6403
Filed 7-19-06; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P