[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 72 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19089-19090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1911]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 72 / Monday, April 16, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 19089]]


                Proclamation 8124 of April 11, 2007

                
Thomas Jefferson Day, 2007

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Thomas Jefferson Day, we commemorate the birthday of 
                a monumental figure whose place in our Nation's history 
                will always be cherished. Thomas Jefferson was a 
                scholar, statesman, author, architect, and patriot, and 
                today we celebrate his many accomplishments and lasting 
                legacy.

                Thomas Jefferson continues to capture our imagination 
                because our country still echoes his ideals. In 1776, 
                as a young lawyer from Virginia, he drafted the 
                Declaration of Independence for the Continental 
                Congress and articulated the American creed. From that 
                document was born a Nation with a message of hope--that 
                all men are created equal and meant to be free. The 
                words Jefferson penned were a bold statement of 
                revolutionary principles, and they have lifted the 
                lives of millions in America and around the world.

                As the third President of the United States, Jefferson 
                worked to realize the vision he held for our young 
                democracy. He signed legislation in 1802 that 
                established the United States Military Academy at West 
                Point, New York, and began the great tradition of 
                service academies that have contributed immensely to 
                the defense of our freedom. He believed in the 
                possibility of westward expansion, doubling the size of 
                our Nation with the Louisiana Purchase and encouraging 
                the Lewis and Clark Expedition to help open the unknown 
                West for future development.

                Thomas Jefferson served his fellow citizens in many 
                other important roles, including Governor of Virginia, 
                Secretary of State, and Ambassador to France. Yet, of 
                his many accomplishments, Thomas Jefferson will always 
                be remembered for his belief in liberty and in the 
                ability of citizens to govern their own country and 
                their own lives. As we celebrate his birthday, we are 
                proud that the Nation he helped establish remains free, 
                independent, and true to the ideals of our founding. 
                Today, the United States of America is the world's 
                foremost champion of liberty, moving forward with 
                confidence and strength, and an example to the world of 
                what free people can achieve.

                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 of America, do hereby proclaim April 13, 2007, 
                as Thomas Jefferson Day. I encourage all citizens to 
                join in celebrating the achievements of this 
                extraordinary American, reflecting on his words, and 
                learning more about his influence on our history and 
                ideals.

[[Page 19090]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 07-1911
Filed 4-13-07; 11:49 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P