[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.