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

    Proclamation 7663 of April 11, 2003

    Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Our Nation takes great pride in the unity of the Pan American community.
    We enjoy strong bonds of friendship with our neighbors throughout the
    Western Hemisphere, and the almost 33 million citizens of Latin American
    and Caribbean descent who are a part of the rich cultural diversity of
    our country. Their contributions have enriched our Nation. In the
    Western Hemisphere, we share common commitments to overcoming poverty,
    achieving peace and prosperity for all, and providing safety in our
    hemisphere. As we observe Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we
    renew our dedication to working with the Pan American community of
    nations to protect democracy, promote economic growth, and provide for
    the defense and security of all our citizens.
    The governments of the region continue to make important progress in
    advancing democracy, as demonstrated by the free, fair, and transparent
    elections that took place throughout the region this past year. The
    United States joins with our neighbors in the hemisphere in
    congratulating the citizens and governments of those nations on their
    achievements, and my Administration remains dedicated to working with
    the democratically elected governments of the Americas to defend
    freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened. The historic Inter-
    American Democratic Charter, adopted on September 11, 2001, continues to
    guide efforts across the region to protect human rights and political
    freedoms, combat corruption, promote good governance, and strengthen
    democratic institutions.
    The countries of our hemisphere have made great strides in opening their
    economies in recent decades, and we must continue to work towards open
    exchanges of ideas and goods throughout Pan America. To promote these
    goals, we must welcome the expansion of economic integration and renew
    our dedication to creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas.
    Ensuring hemispheric security remains one of our most important common
    objectives. Today and in the future, we will continue our efforts to
    safeguard our citizens and to ensure that individuals throughout our
    hemisphere enjoy the full benefits of freedom. By working together, we
    can achieve the Pan American goals of protecting democracy and human
    rights, defeating tyranny, and overcoming poverty and lawlessness.
    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
    laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2003, as Pan
    American Day, and April 13 through April 19, 2003, as Pan American Week.
    I encourage 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.

    [[Page 3027]]
    117 STAT. 3027

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    seventh.
    GEORGE W. BUSH