[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Pages 507-508]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7671--Loyalty Day, 2003

 April 30, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    To be an American is not a matter of blood or birth. Our citizens 
are bound by ideals that represent the hope of all mankind: that all men 
are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness. On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our allegiance to 
our country and resolve to uphold the vision of our Forefathers.
    Our founding principles have endured, guiding our Nation toward 
progress and prosperity and allowing the United States to be a leader 
among nations of the world. Throughout our history, honorable men and 
women have demonstrated their loyalty to America by making remarkable 
sacrifices to preserve and protect these values.
    Today, America's men and women in uniform are protecting our Nation, 
defending the peace of the world, and advancing the cause of liberty. 
The world has seen again the fine character of our Nation through our 
military as they fought to protect the innocent and liberate the 
oppressed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are honored by the service of 
foreign nationals in our Armed Services whose willingness to risk their 
lives for a country they cannot yet call their own is proof of the 
loyalty this country inspires. Their service and sacrifice are a 
testament to their love for America, and our soldiers' honor on and off 
the battlefield reaffirms our Nation's most deeply held beliefs: that 
every life counts, and that all humans have an unalienable right to live 
as free people.
    These values must be imparted to each new generation. Our children 
need to know that our Nation is a force for good in the world, extending 
hope and freedom to others. By learning about America's history, 
achievements, ideas, and heroes, our young citizens will come to 
understand even more why freedom is worth protecting.
    Last September, I announced several initiatives that will help 
improve students' knowledge of American history, increase their civic 
involvement, and deepen their love for our great country. The We the 
People initiative will encourage the teaching of American history and 
civic education by providing grants for curriculum development and 
training seminars. The Our Documents initiative will use the Internet to 
bring information about and the text of 100 of America's most important 
documents from the National Archives to classrooms and communities 
across the country. These initiatives are important, for it is only when 
our children have an understanding of our past that they will be able to 
lead the future.
    This Loyalty Day, as we express allegiance to our Nation and its 
founding ideals, we resolve to ensure that the blessings of liberty 
endure and extend for generations to come.
    The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated May 1 
of each year as ``Loyalty Day,'' and I ask all Americans to join me in 
this day of celebration and in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2003, as Loyalty Day. I call upon all 
the people of the United

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States to join in support of this national observance. I also call upon 
government officials to display the flag of the United States on all 
government buildings on Loyalty Day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth 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, 8:45 a.m., May 2, 2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 5.