[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.