[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

120 STAT. 3754
 
PROCLAMATION 7974--JAN. 13, 2006



Proclamation 7974 of January 13, 2006
Religious Freedom Day, 2006
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The right to religious freedom is a foundation of America. On Religious
Freedom Day, our Nation celebrates the passage of the 1786 Virginia
Statute for Religious Freedom and the protection of religious freedom in
the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of religion to a
stable democracy, and our Constitution protects individuals' rights to
worship as they choose. We reject religious discrimination in every
form, and we continue our efforts to oppose prejudice and to counter any
infringements on religious freedom.
Today, we are also working to advance freedom of religion abroad. The
Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom plays an
important role in these efforts, advocating for religious freedom and
actively working against religious persecution around the world. In
recent years, we have seen important progress, including in Vietnam,
Laos, India, Georgia, and the United Arab Emirates, and with the release
of many individuals in countries throughout the world who had been
imprisoned because of their faith. By helping to secure the religious
freedom of people in other countries, we promote the spread of liberty
and human dignity.
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 January 16, 2006, as
Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great
blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for
future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and
activities in their schools, places of worship, neighborhoods, and
homes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH