[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 50317-50318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7179]



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Part VII





The President





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Proclamation 8040--Women's Equality Day, 2006
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 164 / Thursday, August 24, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8040 of August 21, 2006

                
Women's Equality Day, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The ratification of our Constitution's 19th Amendment 
                on August 26, 1920, marked a turning point for America 
                as women were guaranteed the right to vote. On Women's 
                Equality Day, we celebrate this milestone and pay 
                tribute to the inspiring individuals who stepped 
                forward and asked our Nation to live up to its founding 
                principle of equality for all.

                The struggle for women's rights is a story of strong 
                women joining together to break down the barriers to 
                equality. With courage and determination, Lucretia 
                Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and 
                other suffragists inspired generations of women and 
                helped change the path of our Nation's history. The 
                Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 sparked a mass movement 
                for women's voting rights that gained support from 
                women of all ages and backgrounds. In 1890, Wyoming 
                became the first State whose constitution allowed women 
                to vote, and by 1918, women could vote in 14 additional 
                States. Two years later, women secured nationwide 
                suffrage with the passage of the 19th Amendment. By 
                demanding participation in the democratic process, 
                these visionaries helped spread freedom, justice, and 
                hope for generations to come.

                Women today are continuing the suffragists' legacy of 
                leadership and strength. They are shaping the future 
                through their contributions to all aspects of American 
                life, including science, law, business, education, 
                athletics, and the arts. They are serving our Nation 
                with honor and distinction in our Armed Forces. 
                American women have served as examples for women in 
                other countries in their efforts to increase their 
                participation in civic and political life. Our Nation 
                remains committed to advancing the equality of women in 
                the world's newest democracies and fighting threats to 
                women around the globe.

                The courage of American suffragists made our Nation a 
                stronger and more hopeful place, and we will continue 
                to build an America where the dignity of every person 
                is respected and where opportunity is within reach of 
                all our citizens. On Women's Equality Day, we honor the 
                contributions and accomplishments of women throughout 
                our history, and we pay tribute to all those who helped 
                bring equality to women in America.

                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 August 26, 2006, as Women's 
                Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to celebrate the achievements of women and 
                observe this day with appropriate programs and 
                activities.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first day of August, 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. 
                
                

[FR Doc. 06-7179
Filed 8-23-06; 8:47 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P