[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 42 (Monday, October 24, 2005)]
[Pages 1566-1567]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7950--United Nations Day, 2005

 October 20, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Sixty years ago, the United Nations was created to spread hope and 
liberty, fight poverty and disease, and help secure human rights and 
human dignity for people everywhere. On United Nations Day, we recommit 
ourselves to the ideals on which this organization was founded.
    Throughout history, the human spirit has been tested by the forces 
of darkness and evil. Since its founding in the aftermath of World War 
II, the United Nations has worked to solve problems and harness the best 
instincts of humankind. Today, we must continue efforts to ease 
suffering, spread freedom, and lay the foundations of lasting peace for 
our children and grandchildren.
    In the aftermath of last year's tsunami in the Indian Ocean region 
and this month's earthquakes in South Asia, we have witnessed the great 
capacity of human compassion. The support from the United Nations 
demonstrated how nations of the world can unite in common purpose to 
address difficult challenges. This enduring truth inspired those who 
created the United Nations, and it continues to do so 60 years later. 
With courage and conscience, we will meet our responsibilities to 
protect the lives and rights of others. As we do this, we will help 
fulfill the great promise of the United Nations, ensuring that all 
people can enjoy the peace, freedom, and dignity our Creator intended.
    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 October 24, 2005, as 
United Nations Day. I urge the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor 
of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the officials

[[Page 1567]]

of other areas under the flag of the United States to honor the 
observance of United Nations Day with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 
of October, 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, 11:28 a.m., October 21, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
24.