[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7771 of April 13, 2004


 
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year on Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we honor the
bonds of friendship that unite the Pan American community. With the
exception of one country, the nations of the Western Hemisphere
recognize the importance of working together to strengthen democratic
institutions, promote economic prosperity, invest in our people, and
improve our security. At the recent 2004 Special Summit of the Americas,
the 34 democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere reaffirmed their
commitment to the Inter-American Democratic Charter to defend democracy
and freedom whenever they are threatened. Our unity and support of
democratic institutions, constitutional processes,

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118 STAT. 4120

and basic liberties give hope and strength to those struggling around
the world.
The nations of the Western Hemisphere will continue to draw upon the
Charter to strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and
freedoms, encourage economic growth, and promote good governance. As
neighbors, we are expanding prosperity through open markets and economic
reforms--creating new opportunities for millions of people and continued
economic progress benefiting the nations of our hemisphere. My
Administration will continue to work toward the creation of the Free
Trade Area of the Americas, scheduled for completion in 2005.
To protect the rights and freedoms of all our citizens, the Pan American
community must also combat the forces that threaten democracy:
terrorism, drug trafficking, and other crimes that transcend national
borders. The Declaration on Security in the Americas, adopted at the
October 2003 Organization of American States Special Conference on
Security, underscores our hemisphere's interest in collectively
maintaining peace and security across the Americas. The United States
welcomes the opportunity to work with our neighbors to advance the
Declaration's goals to safeguard our citizens as we build for a future
that is peaceful, just, and prosperous.
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, 2004, as Pan
American Day and April 11 through April 17, 2004, 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 thirteenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
PROCLAMATION 7772--APR. 16, 2004