    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7691 of July 18, 2003

    Captive Nations Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    During Captive Nations Week, first declared in 1959 as a statement
    against the continuing Communist domination of Eastern Europe, America
    expresses its dedication to freedom and democracy. While many countries
    around the world uphold these principles, millions of people still live
    under regimes that violate their citizens' rights daily. In countries
    such as Burma and Iran, citizens lack the right to choose their
    government, speak out against oppression, and practice their religion
    freely. The despot who rules Cuba imprisons political opponents and
    crushes peaceful opposition, while in North Korea hundreds of thousands
    languish in prison camps and citizens suffer from malnutrition as the
    regime pursues weapons of mass destruction. Violence, corruption, and
    mismanagement reign in Zimbabwe and an authoritarian government in
    Belarus smothers political dissent.
    Yet the cause of freedom is advancing. With the demise of the brutal
    regime of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people are no longer captives in
    their own country. Their freedom is evidence of the fall of one of the
    most oppressive dictators in history. Today, American and coalition
    forces are helping to restore civil order and provide critical
    humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people. Iraqis are now meeting openly and
    freely to discuss the future of their country. The United States vows to
    continue to work with those trying to bring about peaceful democratic
    change and greater respect for human rights.
    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 in July of each year as ``Captive Nations
    Week.''
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2003, as Captive
    Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe
    this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm
    their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-
    determination.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of
    July, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    eighth.
    GEORGE W. BUSH

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    117 STAT. 3070