[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 72 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20147-20148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1132]



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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8236--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2008
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 72 / Monday, April 14, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8236 of April 10, 2008

                
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we 
                underscore the importance of a peaceful, democratic, 
                and prosperous Western Hemisphere where our common 
                values continue to strengthen friendships, advance 
                freedom, and encourage fair trade.

                The love of liberty is deeply rooted in our hemisphere. 
                In the earliest days of our Republic, the people of the 
                United States inspired patriots throughout the Americas 
                to take their own stand for independence. Today, the 
                decent and honorable people of both American continents 
                are united in the desire for freedom and democracy. The 
                United States stands with those who respect human 
                rights and those who seek to bring change and hope to 
                their countries. We look forward to the day when all of 
                the Americas are wholly free and democratic.

                My Administration remains committed to helping our 
                friends as they advance the cause of justice and 
                economic opportunity throughout the Western Hemisphere. 
                Through Millennium Challenge Compacts, we support 
                development in countries that govern justly, invest in 
                their people, and promote economic freedom. In 
                addition, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
                States Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2005, has opened 
                markets and created opportunities for American 
                businesses, strengthened economic ties with our 
                neighbors to the south, and brought hope to people so 
                that they can better care for themselves and for their 
                families. In December of 2007, I signed the United 
                States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation 
                Act to bring economic gains for both of our countries, 
                empower workers, and foster accountability and the rule 
                of law. We seek to build on these successes by working 
                with the Congress to approve the United States-Colombia 
                Trade Promotion Agreement and the United States-Panama 
                Trade Promotion Agreement. These and other free trade 
                agreements enhance prosperity in the United States and 
                signal our firm support for those who share our values 
                of freedom and democracy.

                As we recognize Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 
                we will continue to work together to advance our common 
                interests and build a future in which opportunity 
                reaches into every community.

                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 the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2008, as 
                Pan American Day and April 13 through April 19, 2008, 
                as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 
                States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto 
                Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag 
                of the United States of America to honor these 
                observances with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth day of April, 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. 08-1132
Filed 4-11-08; 9:29 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P