[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

122 STAT. 5388

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
GEORGE W. BUSH


 
PROCLAMATION 8322--NOV. 21, 2008

Proclamation 8322 of November 21, 2008
Thanksgiving Day, 2008
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together and
express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we
enjoy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of
these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from
Almighty God.
Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came to
America in search of religious freedom and a better life. Having arrived
in the New World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author of Life
for granting them safe passage to this abundant land and protecting them
through a bitter winter. Our Nation's first President, George
Washington, stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation that ``It is
the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God,
to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore
His protection and favor.'' While in the midst of the Civil War,
President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of
thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and restore our country.
Today, as we look back on the beginnings of our democracy, Americans
recall that we live in a land of many blessings where every person has
the right to live, work, and worship in freedom. Our Nation is
especially thankful for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who
protect these rights while setting aside their own comfort and safety.
Their courage keeps us free, their sacrifice makes us grateful, and
their character makes us proud. Especially during the holidays, our
whole country keeps them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.
Americans are also mindful of the need to share our gifts with others,
and our Nation is moved to compassionate action. We pay tribute to all
caring citizens who reach out a helping hand and serve a cause larger
than themselves.
On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation's
first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch
over our families and our country always.
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 November 27, 2008, as a
National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather
together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and
loved ones to strengthen the ties that bind us and give thanks for the
freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.