[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8361--APR. 9, 2009

Proclamation 8361 of April 9, 2009
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

A common heritage, an interconnected world, and shared goals and values
unite the Pan American community. As a proud member of this group of
countries, the United States celebrates Pan American Day and Pan
American Week and commits to working with our partners in the
Organization of American States to advance a common future.
The Pan American community is highly interwoven, and the peoples of the
Americas must work together to build the future we seek. When one
country faces economic, security, or health challenges, its neighbors
share in this hardship. Together, the Pan American community can build
strong partnerships to surmount common concerns and further mutual
success.

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The broad scope of shared goals includes economic growth and equality,
increased security, strong democratic governance, and clean energy.
Robust, bottom-up economic growth benefits all citizens and all nations,
and remains a central goal of the Pan American community. Together, the
countries of the Americas can prioritize and enact policies that ensure
a shared and equitable economic prosperity. This economic future is
possible only if we protect the safety of citizens and the security of
our countries. Whether reducing street crime and gang violence,
decreasing the narcotics trade, or preventing acts of terrorism, every
country has a stake in regional security.
The Pan American community also supports strong democracies and the
development of alternative energy sources. The promotion of transparent
and enduring democratic governance strengthens and defines relations in
the region and should emphasize the rule of law, a robust civil society,
respect for human rights, social equality, and effective delivery of
public services. Finally, every country benefits from a solution to our
shared energy and climate challenges. The region has already witnessed
great leadership in the development and deployment of alternative energy
sources, and the Pan American community must build upon these promising
efforts.
As we celebrate Pan American Day and Pan American Week, and participate
in the Summit of the Americas, the United States recognizes the common
challenges and aspirations that unite the region and the boundless
promise of our continuing partnership.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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, 2009, as Pan
American Day and April 12 through 18 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 fourteenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
BARACK OBAMA