[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 121, 110th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8120--APR. 5, 2007

Proclamation 8120 of April 5, 2007
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2007
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Each year on Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we
underscore our commitment to supporting the citizens in the Pan American
community, strengthening democracy in the Western Hemisphere, and
advancing the cause of peace worldwide.
In 1890, the International Union of American Republics was established
to promote cooperation among the Americas. Today, the United States and
our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere are a community linked by common
values, shared interests, and the close bonds of family and friendship.
As the expansion of freedom continues in our region, the democratic
nations of the Western Hemisphere are working together to build a safer
and more prosperous society and to ensure that all the people of the
Americas have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
My Administration is working to advance the cause of social justice in
the Pan American region, and we are committed to supporting our
neighbors' efforts to meet the needs of their citizens. In 2004, we
created the Millennium Challenge Corporation to provide increased aid to
nations that govern justly, invest in the education and health of their
people, and promote economic freedom. We are working with the citizens
of the Pan American community to expand economic opportunity through
debt relief and to encourage reforms through such mechanisms as the
North America Free Trade Agreement, the Chile Free Trade Agreement, and
the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade
Agreement. These agreements facilitate the flow of trade and help
establish market economies. We have also recently notified the Congress
of our intention to enter into a free trade agreement with Panama and
signed free trade agreements with Peru and Colombia. These agreements
will generate export opportunities for the United States and benefit the
people of Panama, Peru, and Colombia by providing economic opportunity
and helping to strengthen democratic institutions. By working with our
democratic neighbors to build strong

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and vibrant economies, we are helping the citizens of the Western
Hemisphere realize the promise of a free and just society.
The ties between the democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere are
deep and lasting, and together we can continue our great strides toward
freedom and prosperity for people everywhere.
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, 2007, as Pan
American Day and April 8 through April 14, 2007, 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 fifth day of April,
in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH