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

Proclamation 7849 of November 23, 2004


 
Thanksgiving Day, 2004


By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
All across America, we gather this week with the people we love to give
thanks to God for the blessings in our lives. We are grateful for our
freedom, grateful for our families and friends, and grateful for the
many gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of
these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God.
Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a harvest feast to
thank God after suffering through a brutal winter. President George
Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789,
and President Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War, asking
Americans to give thanks with ``one heart and one voice.''; Since then,
in times of war and in times of peace, Americans have gathered with
family and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.
Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with those who are
less fortunate. Americans this week will gather food and clothing for
neighbors in need. Many young people will give part of their holiday to
volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries. On Thanksgiving, we
remember that the true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls
of the American people. By seeking out those who are hurting and by
lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their fellow citizens and
help make our Nation and the world a better place.
This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to our dedicated
firefighters and police officers who help keep our homeland safe. We are
grateful to the homeland security and intelligence personnel who spend
long hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks for the Americans in
our Armed Forces who are serving around the world to secure our country
and advance the cause of freedom. These brave men and women make our
entire Nation proud, and we thank them and their families for their
sacrifice.
On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His blessings and ask Him to
continue to guide and watch over our Nation.
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 Thursday, November 25,
2004, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to
gather together in their homes and places of worship to reinforce the
ties of family and community and to express gratitude for the many
blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and

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118 STAT. 4213

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7850--DEC. 1, 2004