[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 21, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67293-67294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9357]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 21, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 67293]]

                Proclamation 8085 of November 16, 2006

                
Thanksgiving Day, 2006

                By The President Of The United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As Americans gather with family and friends to 
                celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many 
                ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.

                The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest 
                days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in 
                our history and in quiet times around family tables. 
                Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers 
                gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed 
                a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to 
                survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George 
                Washington observed Thanksgiving during the 
                Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after 
                becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a 
                national day of ``thanksgiving and prayer.'' During the 
                Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the 
                tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, 
                reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.

                At this time of great promise for America, we are 
                grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our 
                Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces 
                throughout the generations. Today, many of these 
                courageous men and women are securing our peace in 
                places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to 
                their families for their service, sacrifice, and 
                strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and 
                lift them up in our prayers.

                Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's 
                freest country, where the hope of the American dream is 
                within the reach of every person. Americans share a 
                desire to answer the universal call to serve something 
                greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every 
                day in the millions of volunteers throughout our 
                country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On 
                this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us 
                show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, 
                family, and faith, and may God continue to bless 
                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 Thursday, November 23, 2006, 
                as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all 
                Americans to gather together in their homes and places 
                of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to 
                reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the 
                freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

[[Page 67294]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of November, 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.)

[FR Doc. 06-9357
Filed 11-20-06; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P