[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 3855-3856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-255]



[[Page 3853]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8216--Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2008
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 3855]]

                Proclamation 8216 of January 16, 2008

                
Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed our Nation forever 
                through his leadership, service, and clarity of vision. 
                On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we 
                honor the lasting legacy of this great American, 
                remember the ideals for which he fought, and recommit 
                ourselves to ensuring that our country's promise 
                extends to all Americans across this great land.

                In the brief time Dr. King walked upon this earth, he 
                devoted his life to strengthening the content of the 
                American character and called on our Nation to live up 
                to its founding principles of life, liberty, and the 
                pursuit of happiness for all its citizens. Dr. King's 
                faith in the Almighty gave him the courage to confront 
                discrimination and segregation, and he preached that 
                all the powers of evil are ultimately no match for even 
                one individual armed with eternal truths. Through his 
                determination, spirit, and resolve, Dr. King helped 
                lift souls and lead one of the greatest movements for 
                equality and freedom in history.

                Our Nation has made progress toward realizing Dr. 
                King's dream, yet the work to achieve liberty and 
                justice for all is never-ending. In July of 2006, I was 
                honored to sign the ``Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and 
                Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization 
                and Amendments Act of 2006,'' to renew the Voting 
                Rights Act of 1965 and reaffirm our commitment to 
                securing the voting rights of all Americans. My 
                Administration will continue to protect the rights won 
                through the sacrifice of Dr. King and other civil 
                rights leaders, and our country will never rest until 
                equality is real, opportunity is universal, and all 
                citizens are empowered to realize their dreams.

                As we observe Dr. King's birthday, I encourage all 
                Americans to celebrate his memory by performing acts of 
                kindness through service to others. Let us live out Dr. 
                King's teachings as we continue to work for the day 
                when the dignity and humanity of every person is 
                respected.

                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 January 21, 2008, as the 
                Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage 
                all Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                civic, community, and service programs and activities 
                in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.

[[Page 3856]]

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

[FR Doc. 08-255
Filed 1-18-08; 8:51 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P