[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 47 (Monday, November 28, 2005)]
[Page 1745]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7963--Thanksgiving Day, 2005

 November 18, 2005

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Thanksgiving Day is a time to remember our many blessings and to 
celebrate the opportunities that freedom affords. Explorers and settlers 
arriving in this land often gave thanks for the extraordinary plenty 
they found. And today, we remain grateful to live in a country of 
liberty and abundance. We give thanks for the love of family and 
friends, and we ask God to continue to watch over America.
    This Thanksgiving, we pray and express thanks for the men and women 
who work to keep America safe and secure. Members of our Armed Forces, 
State and local law enforcement, and first responders embody our 
Nation's highest ideals of courage and devotion to duty. Our country is 
grateful for their service and for the support and sacrifice of their 
families. We ask God's special blessings on those who have lost loved 
ones in the line of duty.
    We also remember those affected by the destruction of natural 
disasters. Their tremendous determination to recover their lives 
exemplifies the American spirit, and we are grateful for those across 
our Nation who answered the cries of their neighbors in need and 
provided them with food, shelter, and a helping hand. We ask for 
continued strength and perseverance as we work to rebuild these 
communities and return hope to our citizens.
    We give thanks to live in a country where freedom reigns, justice 
prevails, and hope prospers. We recognize that America is a better place 
when we answer the universal call to love a neighbor and help those in 
need. May God bless and guide the United States of America as we move 
forward.
    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 Thursday, November 24, 
2005, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to 
gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, 
friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give 
thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 
of November, 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., November 22, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 19, and it was published in the Federal Register 
on November 23.