[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 204 (Friday, October 23, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54893-54894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25765]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 204 / Friday, October 23, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 54893]]


                Proclamation 8441 of October 19, 2009

                
United Nations Day, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The United Nations was created 64 years ago by men and 
                women from every corner of the world. These architects 
                of international cooperation acted out of an idealism 
                rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war. They had the 
                wisdom to understand that nations could do far more to 
                advance their interests by acting together than by 
                letting themselves be split apart. The original 51 
                member nations were united around a commitment to 
                peace, humanity, and justice.

                Today, with 192 member states, the United Nations is 
                the principle forum for all nations, large and small, 
                to work in concert to meet the global challenges no 
                nation can confront alone. The U.N. is vital to 
                America's efforts to create a better, safer world. 
                Through peacekeeping missions that have saved so many 
                lives and averted so many wars; lifesaving humanitarian 
                work; critical development activities; and its unique 
                legitimacy, the U.N. can function as a forum that 
                brings all nations together.

                The U.N. sometimes struggles to live up to its founding 
                ideals, as it can only be effective if its member 
                states choose to meet their own responsibilities. At 
                its best, this indispensible, if imperfect, institution 
                helps to resolve conflicts and rebuild shattered 
                societies; to lay the foundations of democracy, human 
                rights, and development; and to establish conditions in 
                which people can live in dignity and mutual respect. 
                The member states of the U.N. have an obligation to 
                demonstrate the will and leadership to match the 
                aspirations of all. Now is the time for all of us to 
                assume our share of responsibility to meet global 
                challenges.

                Committed in our resolve to create a world our people 
                deserve, we look to the future with confidence. As 
                expressed in the founding values of the United Nations, 
                we share a common security and are unified by our 
                common humanity. This truth calls us to work 
                cooperatively with nations from around the globe in the 
                pursuit of peace, economic prosperity, and human 
                opportunity.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 October 24, 2009, as 
                United Nations Day. I urge the Governors of the 50 
                States, and the officials of all other areas under the 
                flag of the United States to observe United Nations Day 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 54894]]

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

[FR Doc. E9-25765
Filed 10-22-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P