[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9227 of January 15, 2015

Religious Freedom Day, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From many faiths and diverse beliefs, Americans are united by the ideals
we cherish. Our shared values define who we are as a people and what we
stand for as a Nation. With abiding resolve, generations of patriots
have fought--through great conflict and fierce debate--to secure and
defend these freedoms, irrevocably weaving them deep into the fabric of
our society. Today, we celebrate an early milestone in the long history
of one of our country's fundamental liberties.
On January 16, 1786, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was
adopted. It was one of the first laws in our Nation to codify the right
of every person to profess their opinions in matters of faith, and it
declares that ``no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any''
religion. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia
legislature by James Madison, this historic legislation served as a
model for the religious liberty protections enshrined in our
Constitution.
The First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing religion.
It protects the right of every person to practice their faith how they
choose, to change their faith, or to practice no faith at all, and to do
so free from persecution and fear. This religious freedom allows faith
to flourish, and our Union is stronger because a vast array of religious
communities coexist peacefully with mutual respect for one another.
Since the age of Jefferson and Madison, brave women and men of faith
have challenged our conscience; today, our Nation continues to be shaped
by people of every religion and of no religion, bringing us closer to
our founding ideals. As heirs to this proud legacy of liberty, we must
remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard these freedoms.
We must also continue our work to protect religious freedom around the
globe. Throughout the world, millions of individuals are subjected to
discrimination, abuse, and sanctioned violence simply for exercising
their religion or choosing not to claim a faith. Communities are being
driven from their ancient homelands because of who they are or how they
pray, and in conflict zones, mass displacement has become all too
common.
In the face of these challenges, I am proud the United States continues
to stand up for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in
peace. Promoting religious freedom has always been a key objective of my
Administration's foreign policy because history shows that nations that
uphold the rights of their people--including the freedom of religion--
are ultimately more just, more peaceful, and more successful. In every
country, individuals should be free to choose and live their faith based
upon the persuasion of the mind--and of the heart and soul. Today, let
us continue our work to protect this tradition and advance the cause of
religious freedom worldwide.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con

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stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January
16, 2015, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to
commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this
critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and that show us how we can
protect it for future generations at home and around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA