[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 51 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Pages 2940-2941]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7854--Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human 
Rights Week, 2004

 December 10, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    During Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, 
we celebrate the founding ideals of our Nation and emphasize the 
importance of protecting human liberty throughout the world.
    As a Nation, we cherish the values of free speech, equality, and 
religious freedom, and we steadfastly oppose injustice and tyranny. 
Since the founding of America, the Bill of Rights has protected basic 
human rights and liberties. In the United States, all citizens have the 
opportunity to voice their opinions, practice their faith, and enjoy the 
blessings of freedom.
    After the tragedies of World War II, the United Nations General 
Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as part of a 
global effort to curb the cruelty and systematic injustice that had 
destroyed so many lives. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
affirms the inalienable rights of people everywhere.
    In the time since, progress has been made in ensuring that human 
dignity is respected, and we have witnessed the rise of democratic 
governments around the world. No other system of government has done 
more to protect minorities, secure the rights of labor, raise the status 
of women, or channel human energy to the pursuits of peace than 
democracy.
    My Administration continues to encourage free and open societies 
around the world. In Burma, we have called on the ruling junta to 
release Aung San Suu Kyi and engage in dialogue to bring democracy to 
that country. We are helping lead the international effort to end the 
suffering in Sudan. We seek to help the people of North Korea, who are 
struggling to survive under severe repression and difficult living 
conditions, and our Nation continues to stand with those who strive for 
democracy in Belarus, Cuba, Iran, and Zimbabwe.
    My Administration also has advanced the fight against human 
trafficking and the abuse and exploitation of women and children, 
particularly of young girls in the sex trade. In addition, we have 
expanded our Nation's support for democracy promotion programs globally 
and have increased the budget for the National Endowment for Democracy 
to strengthen support for free elections, free markets, free speech, and 
human rights advocacy around the world.
    Freedom and dignity are God's gift to each man and woman in the 
world. During this observance, we encourage all nations to continue 
working towards freedom, peace, and security, which can be achieved only 
through democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
    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, 2004, as 
Human Rights Day; December 15, 2004, as Bill of Rights Day; and the week 
beginning December 10, 2004, as Human Rights Week. I call upon the 
people of the United States to honor the legacy of human rights passed 
down to us from previous generations and 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 four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., December 14, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 15. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.

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