[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 50 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Page 1782]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7744--Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human 
Rights Week, 2003

 December 10, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America's founders dedicated this country to life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness. During Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and 
Human Rights Week, we recognize the advances we have made expanding 
freedom, democracy, and individual rights in this country and around the 
world.
    America has helped bring liberty to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 
countries like Belarus, Cuba, and Zimbabwe, we continue to stand with 
those who struggle for democracy. We will continue to call on Burma's 
ruling junta to release political prisoners and engage in an inclusive 
dialogue with the democratic opposition to bring democracy to Burma. We 
also look forward to the day when the men and women of North Korea can 
live in a free society.
    Freedom is the right of mankind and the future of every nation. It 
is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to every man and 
woman who lives in this world.
    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 December 10, 2003, as 
Human Rights Day; December 15, 2003, as Bill of Rights Day; and the week 
beginning December 10, 2003, as Human Rights Week. I call upon the 
people of the United States to mark these observances with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
December, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:44 a.m., December 12, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 15.