[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 29 (Monday, July 25, 2005)]
[Page 1175]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7913--Captive Nations Week, 2005

July 15, 2005

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America stands for freedom and supports those who are oppressed. 
During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing 
democracy, defending liberty, and protecting human rights around the 
world.
    When President Eisenhower issued the first Captive Nations Week 
proclamation in 1959, freedom was being denied by communist regimes in 
Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Millions were deprived of their rights 
to freely practice religion, assemble in public, and exercise freedom of 
speech. The Cold War and the captivity of millions of people in Central 
and Eastern Europe have since ended, and we have witnessed the rise of 
democratic governments in countries across the globe.
    Building a free and peaceful world is the work of generations, and 
this work continues. America believes that freedom is God's gift to each 
man and woman in this world and that spreading freedom's blessings is 
the calling of our time. We are continuing to work to help spread 
liberty and democracy to people who have known fear and oppression. The 
gains in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Georgia have been 
achieved through the courage, determination, and sacrifice of millions 
of men and women in those countries, with the assistance of the United 
States and other allies.
    As a Nation forged from the ideals of freedom, justice, and human 
dignity, we will continue speaking out on behalf of oppressed people. We 
will support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in 
every nation. This young century will be liberty's century, and during 
Captive Nations Week, we pledge to advance the cause of liberty for all 
people.
    The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 
212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation 
designating the third week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations 
Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim July 17 through July 23, 2005, as Captive 
Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe 
this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm 
their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-
determination.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 
of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 19, 
2005]

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