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

 
PROCLAMATION 8036--JULY 13, 2006
Proclamation 8036 of July 13, 2006
Captive Nations Week, 2006
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The best hope for peace is the expansion of freedom throughout the
world. During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our commitment to
advancing liberty, protecting human rights, and helping people realize
the great promise of democracy.
In proclaiming the first Captive Nations Week in 1959, President Dwight
Eisenhower said that ``the citizens of the United States are linked by
bonds of family and principle to those who love freedom and justice on
every continent.'' Over the past five decades, the force of human
freedom has overcome hatred and resentment and overthrown tyrants in
nations around the globe. Freedom is on the march, and today more people
live in liberty than ever before.
The advance of freedom is the story of our time, and we have witnessed
remarkable democratic progress in recent years. The people of
Afghanistan elected their first democratic parliament in more than a
generation. The people of Kyrgyzstan drove a corrupt regime from power
and voted for democratic change. Ending 16 years of civil war and
interim governments, the people of Liberia were able to go to the polls,
electing Africa's first female president. The courageous citizens of
Iraq reached yet another important milestone in their journey to

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wards democracy by forming a national unity government based upon the
constitution they approved last October. In Lebanon, citizens recovered
their independence and chose their members of parliament in free
elections. That newfound independence has come under attack in recent
days from terrorists and their state sponsors, who see freedom and
democracy as a threat. The United States and its allies will stand with
those in Lebanon who continue to struggle for their independence and
sovereignty and who refuse to give over their country to extremism and
terror.
At this critical time in the history of freedom, no nation can evade the
demands of human dignity. In countries like Iran, North Korea, Belarus,
Burma, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Cuba, governments must become accountable to
their citizens and embrace democracy. The desire for freedom is written
in every human heart, and we can be confident that in this century
freedom will continue to prevail.
This week is also an opportunity to honor those who have stood against
oppression and advanced the fundamental right of all to live in liberty.
The courage and sacrifice of these men and women reflect the fact that
tyranny can never destroy the desire to be free. Inspired by their
example, we will carry on their work to help others realize the
universal gift of liberty and to spread the light of democracy to every
corner of the world.
The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212),
has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation
designating the third week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations
Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim July 16 through July 22, 2006, as Captive
Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to reaffirm
their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-
determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH