[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 133 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 38461-38462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3442]



[[Page 38459]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8160--Captive Nations Week, 2007
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 38461]]

                Proclamation 8160 of July 10, 2007

                
Captive Nations Week, 2007

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Liberty is the path to lasting peace and the 
                unalienable right of every man, woman, and child. 
                During Captive Nations Week, we underscore our 
                commitment to protecting human rights, advancing 
                democracy and freedom, and ending tyranny across the 
                globe.

                Expanding freedom is a moral imperative, and today more 
                people are free than ever before. Freedom is reaching 
                around the world, and America is working side-by-side 
                with new democracies in Liberia, Mauritania, Ukraine, 
                Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. The people of Kuwait held 
                elections in which women were able to vote and run for 
                office for the first time, and the elected parliament 
                is exercising real influence with the government. We 
                continue to stand firmly behind the citizens of 
                Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq as they defend their 
                democratic gains against extremist enemies. Many are 
                making great sacrifices for liberty, and they deserve 
                our steadfast support.

                While there is progress in freedom's advance, nations 
                such as Belarus, Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Iran, 
                Sudan, and Zimbabwe still oppress their citizens. My 
                Administration recently created the Human Rights 
                Defenders Fund to provide grants for the legal defense 
                and medical expenses of democratic dissidents arrested 
                or beaten by repressive governments. In addition, we 
                have nearly doubled funding for democracy projects 
                throughout the world. The American people believe that 
                the flame for freedom burns in every human heart, and 
                that light cannot be extinguished by governments, 
                terrorists, or tyrants. During Captive Nations Week, we 
                remember that human freedom is the key to achieving 
                respect for all human rights.

                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, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim July 15 through 21, 2007, as 
                Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the 
                United States to reaffirm our commitment to all those 
                seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.

[[Page 38462]]

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

[FR Doc. 07-3442
Filed 7-11-07; 10:26 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P