[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9569 of January 13, 2017

Religious Freedom Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Believing that ``Almighty God hath created the mind free,'' Thomas
Jefferson authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom after our
young Nation declared its independence. This idea of religious liberty
later became a foundation for the First Amendment, which begins by
stating that ``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .'' On Religious
Freedom Day, we rededicate ourselves to defending these fundamental
principles, pay tribute to the many ways women and men of different
religious and non-religious backgrounds have shaped America's narrative,
and resolve to continue forging a future in which all people are able to
practice their faiths freely or not practice at all.
Religious freedom is a principle based not on shared ancestry, culture,
ethnicity, or faith but on a shared commitment to liberty--and it lies
at the very heart of who we are as Americans. As a Nation, our strength
comes from our diversity, and we must be unified in our commitment to
protecting the freedoms of conscience and religious belief

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and the freedom to live our lives according to them. Religious freedom
safeguards religion, allowing us to flourish as one of the most
religious countries on Earth, but it also strengthens our Nation as a
whole. Brave men and women of faith have challenged our conscience and
brought us closer to our founding ideals, from the abolition of slavery
to the expansion of civil rights and workers' rights. And throughout our
history, faith communities have helped uphold these values by joining in
efforts to help those in need--rallying in the face of tragedy and
providing care or shelter in times of disaster.
As they built this country, our Founders understood that religion helps
strengthen our Nation when it is not an extension of the State. And
because our Government does not sponsor a religion--nor pressure anyone
to practice a particular faith or any faith at all--we have a culture
that aims to ensure people of all backgrounds and beliefs can freely and
proudly worship without fear or coercion. Yet in 2015, nearly 20 percent
of hate crime victims in America were targeted because of religious
bias. That is unacceptable--and as Americans, we have an obligation to
do better.
If we are to defend religious freedom, we must remember that when any
religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up.
At times when some try to divide us along religious lines, it is
imperative that we recall the common humanity we share--and reject a
politics that seeks to manipulate, prejudice, or bias, and that targets
people because of religion. Part of being American means guarding
against bigotry and speaking out on behalf of others, no matter their
background or belief--whether they are wearing a hijab or a baseball
cap, a yarmulke or a cowboy hat.
Today, we must also remember those outside the United States who are
persecuted for their faith or beliefs, including those who have lost
their lives in attacks on sacred places. Religious liberty is more than
a cornerstone of American life--it is a universal and inalienable
right--and as members of a global community, we must strive to ensure
that all people can enjoy that right in peace and security. That is why
my Administration has worked with coalitions around the globe to end
discrimination against religious minorities, protect vulnerable
communities, and promote religious freedom for all. We have also worked
to ensure that those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs can
find safety and a new home in the United States and elsewhere.
America has changed a great deal since Thomas Jefferson first drafted
the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, but religious liberty is a
right we must never stop striving to uphold. Today, let us work to
protect that precious right and ensure all people are able to go about
their day in safety and with dignity--without living in fear of violence
or intimidation--in our time and for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2017, 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 thirteenth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and

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of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
forty-first.
BARACK OBAMA