[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20831-20832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9143]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 71 / Wednesday, April 13, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20831]]


                Proclamation 8651 of April 8, 2011

                
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we 
                celebrate the close partnerships across our hemisphere 
                that advance the ability of our citizens to enjoy 
                freedom and reach for their highest aspirations. Every 
                day, the future is being forged by the countries and 
                peoples of the Americas. The world must now recognize 
                the Americas as a whole as a dynamic and growing 
                region, because the Americas are democratic and at 
                peace, and we are coming together to address shared 
                challenges. Increasingly, our hemisphere is 
                contributing to global prosperity and security. The 
                bonds between our people are rooted not only in mutual 
                respect and shared interests and responsibilities, but 
                also in common values. As the nations of the Americas 
                continue to grow, progress, and address the challenges 
                of our day, our friendships will be more important than 
                ever to attaining and maintaining security and 
                prosperity for all.

                This year, the Americas can celebrate milestones that 
                have strengthened the ties between our societies. More 
                than 60 years ago, our nations came together in an 
                Organization of American States and declared that 
                ``representative democracy is an indispensable 
                condition for the stability, peace, and development of 
                the region.'' A decade ago, we reaffirmed this 
                principle, with an Inter-American Democratic Charter 
                that stated ``the people of the Americas have a right 
                to democracy and their governments have an obligation 
                to promote and defend it.'' This year, we also observe 
                the United Nations' and the Organization of American 
                States' designation of 2011 as the International Year 
                for People of African Descent, an opportunity to 
                recognize the myriad ways that men and women of African 
                descent have strengthened our countries and enriched 
                our societies.

                The Americas demonstrate to countries around the world 
                the strength of democracy as a means of supporting 
                people's yearnings for freedom and the pursuit of 
                happiness, but we know our work is far from finished. 
                Many citizens in our region live in poverty or lack 
                access to jobs and economic opportunity, and some 
                suffer injustice and human rights violations, including 
                freedom of expression. In Haiti and in other places 
                where natural disasters have struck, many lack access 
                to basic necessities. As we come together to build our 
                economies, increase cooperation on citizen security and 
                trade, and promote democracy, we know our friendships, 
                partnerships, and shared principles will help us 
                overcome today's challenges and build a safer and more 
                prosperous future.

                As we celebrate Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 
                let us reemphasize the cooperation between all nations 
                of the Americas as a vital part of our interconnected 
                world. Together, we will continue to build on our 
                partnerships of equality and shared responsibility and 
                demonstrate that change is possible, every nation can 
                be free, and there can be no denying the dignity and 
                human rights our countries uphold.

[[Page 20832]]

                 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 April 14, 2011, as 
                Pan American Day and April 10 through April 16, 2011, 
                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.

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

[FR Doc. 2011-9143
Filed 4-12-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P