[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 4 (Monday, January 29, 2001)]
[Page 212]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7403--National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, 2001

January 20, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Nearly 200 years ago, on March 4, 1801, our young Nation celebrated 
an important milestone in its history, the first transfer of power 
between political parties, as Thomas Jefferson took the oath of office 
as President. On this bicentennial of that event, we pause to remember 
and give thanks to Almighty God for our unbroken heritage of democracy, 
the peaceful transition of power, and the perseverance of our Government 
through the challenges of war and peace, want and prosperity, discord 
and harmony.
    President Jefferson also wrote, ``The God who gave us life gave us 
liberty at the same time'' and asked, ``Can the liberties of a nation be 
secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are of 
God?'' Indeed, it is appropriate to mark this occasion by remembering 
the words of President Jefferson and the examples of Americans of the 
past and today who in times of both joy and need turn to Almighty God in 
prayer. Times of plenty, like times of crisis, are tests of American 
character. Today, I seek God's guidance and His blessings on our land 
and all our people. Knowing that I cannot succeed in this task without 
the favor of God and the prayers of the people, I ask all Americans to 
join with me in prayer and thanksgiving.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of 
the United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2001, a National Day 
of Prayer and Thanksgiving and call upon the citizens of our Nation to 
gather together in homes and places of worship to pray alone and 
together and offer thanksgiving to God for all the blessings of this 
great and good land. On this day, I call upon Americans to recall all 
that unites us. Let us become a nation rich not only in material wealth 
but in ideals--rich in justice and compassion and family love and moral 
courage. I ask Americans to bow our heads in humility before our 
Heavenly Father, a God who calls us not to judge our neighbors, but to 
love them, to ask His guidance upon our Nation and its leaders in every 
level of government.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 
of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., January 24, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on January 22, and it was published in Federal Register on 
January 25.