[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 16 (Monday, April 22, 2002)]
[Pages 625-626]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7540--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2002

 April 12, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Pan America comprises a set of regional relationships that connects 
the nations of the Western Hemisphere in an increasingly interdependent 
network of commercial and cultural communities. Every nation in Pan 
America, with one notable exception, is committed to promoting freedom, 
democracy, and the rule of law. Over the past year, the Pan American 
nations have become increasingly united in purpose, seeking to ensure 
the preservation of the freedoms inherent in democracy, to promote good 
governance, to enhance economic development across the hemisphere, to 
protect human rights, and to combat terrorism, transnational crime, and 
narcotics trafficking. Continued progress in achieving these goals will 
greatly improve the future of the Americas.
    As a testament to the enduring spirit of cooperation that binds us 
together as citizens of North, Central, and South America, the Pan 
American nations have built a common front against the threat of 
terrorism. Meeting in consultation on September 19, 2001, the 
Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council invoked the Rio 
Treaty, declaring that the terrorist attacks of September 11, were 
attacks against all of the Americas. Later that same month, the OAS 
Foreign Ministers called for measures to strengthen hemispheric 
cooperation and adopted binding commitments, demonstrating that this 
hemisphere is prepared to guard the freedoms that form the foundation of 
democracy.
    This firm response to the terrorist acts followed another milestone 
for the region, namely, the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic 
Charter. In approving this document by acclamation, the nations of the 
Western Hemisphere established democracy as the birthright of every 
person in the Americas. The words of this charter affirm that 
governments cannot be democracies in name only, but must build upon the 
guiding principles of our time and struggle to ensure the preservation 
of essential civil liberties.
    Pan America's unprecedented spirit of cooperation bodes well for the 
2004 Summit of the Americas, when we will have the opportunity to review 
our progress and renew commitments to enhancing hemispheric 
relationships. Communication, trade, travel, and advances in technology 
have all combined to produce unprecedented levels of integration and 
interdependence in the Western Hemisphere. And our continued efforts 
toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas exemplify our commitment to 
building a legal framework that opens the way to self-sustaining and 
wide-ranging prosperity. The free exchange of ideas and goods brings a 
unique vitality to our region, and serves as a catalyst for continuing 
economic development at the local and national levels.
    This past year provided sobering evidence that our freedoms are not 
free. We must continue to work together as a unified community to 
support and defend all peoples that are denied their rights and 
privileges by governments that fail to respect the essential elements of 
democracy and human rights. In countering the threats of tyranny, 
poverty, and lawlessness, our collective goal must be to further the 
partnership we share as standard bearers of a bold vision. By working 
together to promote democracy, free trade, economic prosperity, 
effective governance, and human rights, we will keep the new Pan 
American spirit of freedom and cooperation alive and well for 
generations to come.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America,

[[Page 626]]

by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of 
the United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2002, as Pan American 
Day and April 14 through April 20, 2002, as Pan American Week. I urge 
the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag of the 
United States of America to honor these observances with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of 
April, 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

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 16, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
17. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.