    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 3 (Monday, January 21, 2002)]
    [Pages 74-75]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7517--Religious Freedom Day, 2002

     January 15, 2002

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our Republic, a core principle
    of our Constitution, and a fundamental human right. Many of those who
    first settled in America, such as Pilgrims, came for the freedom of
    worship and belief that this new land promised. And when the British
    Colonies became the United States, our Founders constitutionally limited
    our Federal Government's capacity to interfere with religious belief by
    prohibiting the Congress from passing any law ``respecting an
    establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.''
    These constitutional limits have allowed the flourishing of faith across
    our country, which greatly blesses our land.
        George Washington forcefully expressed our collective constitutional
    promise to protect the rights of people of all faiths, in a historic
    letter he wrote to the Jewish community at Touro Synagogue in Newport,
    Rhode Island: ``the Government of the United States, which gives to
    bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that
    they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good
    citizens . . . .'' Today, our cities are home to synagogues, churches,
    temples, mosques, and other houses of worship that peacefully welcome
    Americans of every belief. Preserving religious freedom has helped
    America avoid the wars of religion that have plagued so many cultures
    throughout history, with deadly consequences.
        Today, as America wages war against terror, our resolve to defend
    religious freedom remains as strong as ever. Many miles from home,
    American service men and women have risked their lives in our efforts to
    drive the Taliban regime from power, ending an era of brutal oppression,
    including religious oppression. At home, Americans demonstrated the
    vitality of our religious freedom in the enormous outreach by faith
    communities to help those harmed by the terrorist attacks. In quiet
    prayers offered to God in churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques and
    in the helping hands of faith-based groups, Americans have shown a deep
    love for others and genuine spiritual unity that will sustain us through
    the difficult days of recovery.
        Religious Freedom Day provides us an opportunity to celebrate
    America's commitment to protect the freedom of religion. On this special
    day, I encourage all Americans to renew their commitment to protecting
    the liberties that make our country a beacon of hope for people around
    the world who seek the free exercise of religious beliefs and other
    freedoms.
        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 January 16, 2002, as
    Religious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day by
    asking for the blessing and protection of Almighty God for our Nation,
    and to engage in appropriate ceremonies and activities in their homes,
    schools, and places of worship as a sign of our resolve to protect and
    preserve our religious freedom.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day
    of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    sixth.
                                                    George W. Bush

    [[Page 75]]

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., January 17,
    2002]

    Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on January 16, and it was published in the Federal Register on
    January 18.