[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 119, 109th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 7966--NOV. 28, 2005
Proclamation 7966 of November 28, 2005
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2005
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pray for those lost on
December 7, 1941, and we honor the courage of a generation of Americans
who devoted themselves to one of the great missions in our country's
history. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor took more than 2,400
American lives, millions of our citizens answered the call to defend our
liberty, and the world witnessed the power of freedom to overcome
tyranny.
Liberty's ultimate triumph was far from clear in the early days of World
War II. When our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor, America was
emerging from the Great Depression, and several nations had larger
armies than the United States. In Asia and Europe, country after country
had fallen before the armies of militaristic tyrants. However, the brave
and determined men and women of our Nation maintained their faith in the
power of freedom and democracy. They fought and won a world war against
two of the most ruthless regimes the world has ever known. In the years
since those victories, the power of free

[[Page 3836]]
119 STAT. 3836

dom and democracy has transformed America's enemies in World War II into
close friends.
Today, our goal is to continue to spread freedom and democracy and to
secure a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren. We are
grateful to the men and women who are defending our flag and our freedom
in the first war of the 21st century. These patriots are protecting our
country and our way of life by upholding the tradition of honor,
bravery, and integrity demonstrated by those who fought for our Nation
in World War II. The service and sacrifice of our World War II veterans
continue to inspire people across our country, and we remain deeply
grateful for all that these heroes have done for the cause of freedom.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December
7 of each year as ``National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.'';
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2005, as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn
occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal
agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the
flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of
those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day
of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH