[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 16 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Pages 435-436]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7663--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003

April 11, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Our Nation takes great pride in the unity of the Pan American 
community. We enjoy strong bonds of friendship with our neighbors 
throughout the Western Hemisphere, and the almost 33 million citizens of 
Latin American and Caribbean descent who are a part of the rich cultural 
diversity of our country. Their contributions have enriched our Nation. 
In the Western Hemisphere, we share common commitments to overcoming 
poverty, achieving peace and prosperity for all, and providing safety in 
our hemisphere. As we observe Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we 
renew our dedication to working with the Pan American community of 
nations to protect democracy, promote economic growth, and provide for 
the defense and security of all our citizens.
    The governments of the region continue to make important progress in 
advancing democracy, as demonstrated by the free, fair, and transparent 
elections that took place throughout the region this past year. The 
United States joins with our neighbors in the hemisphere in 
congratulating the citizens and governments of those nations on their 
achievements, and my Administration remains dedicated to working with 
the democratically elected governments of the Americas to defend 
freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened. The historic Inter-
American Democratic Charter, adopted on September 11, 2001, continues to 
guide efforts across the region to protect human rights and political 
freedoms, combat corruption, promote good governance, and strengthen 
democratic institutions.
    The countries of our hemisphere have made great strides in opening 
their economies in recent decades, and we must continue to work towards 
open exchanges of ideas and goods throughout Pan America. To promote 
these goals, we must welcome the expansion of economic integration and 
renew our dedication to creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas.
    Ensuring hemispheric security remains one of our most important 
common objectives. Today and in the future, we will continue our efforts 
to safeguard our citizens and to ensure that individuals throughout our 
hemisphere enjoy the full benefits of freedom. By working together, we 
can achieve the Pan American goals of protecting democracy and human 
rights, defeating tyranny, and overcoming poverty and lawlessness.
    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 April 14, 2003, as Pan 
American Day, and April 13 through April 19, 2003, as Pan American Week. 
I encourage the Governors of the 50 States, the

[[Page 436]]

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 eleventh day of 
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:18 a.m., April 15, 
2003]

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