    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 16 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
    [Pages 579-580]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7771--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2004

     April 13, 2004

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        Each year on Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we honor
    the bonds of friendship that unite the Pan American community. With the
    exception of one country, the nations of the Western Hemisphere
    recognize the importance of working together to strengthen democratic
    institutions, promote economic prosperity, invest in our people, and
    improve our security. At the recent 2004 Special Summit of the Americas,
    the 34 democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere reaffirmed their
    commitment to the Inter-American Democratic Charter to defend democracy
    and freedom whenever they are threatened. Our unity and support of
    democratic institutions, constitutional processes, and basic liberties
    give hope and strength to those struggling around the world.
        The nations of the Western Hemisphere will continue to draw upon the
    Charter to strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and
    freedoms, encourage economic growth, and promote good governance. As
    neighbors, we are expanding prosperity through open markets and economic
    reforms--creating new opportunities for millions of people and continued
    economic progress benefiting the nations of our hemisphere. My
    Administration will continue to work toward the creation of the Free
    Trade Area of the Americas, scheduled for completion in 2005.
        To protect the rights and freedoms of all our citizens, the Pan
    American community must also combat the forces that threaten democracy:
    terrorism, drug trafficking, and other crimes that transcend national
    borders. The Declaration on Security in the Americas, adopted at the
    October 2003 Organization of American States Special Conference on
    Security, underscores our hemisphere's interest in collectively
    maintaining peace and security across the Americas. The United States
    welcomes the opportunity to work

    [[Page 580]]

    with our neighbors to advance the Declaration's goals to safeguard our
    citizens as we build for a future that is peaceful, just, and
    prosperous.
        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, 2004, as Pan
    American Day and April 11 through April 17, 2004, 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 thirteenth day
    of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, 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, 8:45 a.m., April 15,
    2004]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April
    16.