[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2017)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 33437-33438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15339]



[[Page 33435]]

Vol. 82

Wednesday,

No. 137

July 19, 2017

Part III





The President





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Proclamation 9626--Captive Nations Week, 2017
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  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2017 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 33437]]

                Proclamation 9626 of July 14, 2017

                
Captive Nations Week, 2017

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During Captive Nations Week, we stand in solidarity 
                with those living under repressive regimes, and we 
                commit to promoting our American ideals, grounded in 
                respect for natural rights and protected by the rule of 
                law, throughout the world. As President Reagan often 
                reminded us, as a shining city upon a hill, America has 
                a duty to shine its beacon light on freedom-loving 
                people around the world.

                President Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations 
                Week during the Cold War with the Soviet Union, 
                promising that America would stand with those people in 
                captive nations who seek ``freedom and national 
                independence.'' The Soviet Union collapsed more than a 
                quarter of a century ago, but hundreds of millions of 
                people around the world still live under the tyranny of 
                authoritarian regimes. Authoritarianism and its many 
                injustices have wrought misery and held captive the 
                dreams of generations, while nations that value liberty 
                have prospered and empowered their citizens to pursue 
                their God-given potential to the fullest.

                The injustices and abuses authoritarian regimes inflict 
                on their own people affect us all, and we must 
                recognize the bond we share with those who long to be 
                free from oppression. Throughout our Nation's history, 
                brave Americans have fought for the freedom of those 
                suffering under authoritarianism. These American 
                service members have shined light in the darkest 
                corners of the world, those that are marred by 
                starvation, political imprisonment, religious 
                intolerance, and many other civil rights abuses.

                Our military and diplomatic experiences have taught us 
                that freedom is a powerful, yet fragile force that must 
                be tirelessly protected. We continue to encourage 
                despotic regimes to turn away from their oppressive 
                ideologies and embrace a more hopeful and prosperous 
                future for their people. This week, and always, we 
                stand with all people throughout the world who are 
                fighting for liberty, justice, and the rule of law.

                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 of July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 July 16 through July 
                22, 2017, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon all 
                Americans to reaffirm our commitment to those around 
                the world striving for liberty, justice, and the rule 
                of law.

[[Page 33438]]

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

[FR Doc. 2017-15339
Filed 7-18-17; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P