[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 48 (Monday, December 5, 2005)]
[Pages 1781-1782]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7966--National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2005

November 28, 2005

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pray for those lost on 
December 7, 1941, and we honor the courage of a generation of Americans 
who devoted themselves to one of the great missions in our country's 
history. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor took more than 2,400 
American lives, millions of our citizens answered the call to defend our 
liberty, and the world witnessed the power of freedom to overcome 
tyranny.
    Liberty's ultimate triumph was far from clear in the early days of 
World War II. When our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor, America was 
emerging from the Great Depression, and several nations had larger

[[Page 1782]]

armies than the United States. In Asia and Europe, country after country 
had fallen before the armies of militaristic tyrants. However, the brave 
and determined men and women of our Nation maintained their faith in the 
power of freedom and democracy. They fought and won a world war against 
two of the most ruthless regimes the world has ever known. In the years 
since those victories, the power of freedom and democracy has 
transformed America's enemies in World War II into close friends.
    Today, our goal is to continue to spread freedom and democracy and 
to secure a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren. We 
are grateful to the men and women who are defending our flag and our 
freedom in the first war of the 21st century. These patriots are 
protecting our country and our way of life by upholding the tradition of 
honor, bravery, and integrity demonstrated by those who fought for our 
Nation in World War II. The service and sacrifice of our World War II 
veterans continue to inspire people across our country, and we remain 
deeply grateful for all that these heroes have done for the cause of 
freedom.
    The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated 
December 7 of each year as ``National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2005, as National Pearl Harbor 
Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn 
occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal 
agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the 
flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of 
those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
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, 9:09 a.m., November 29, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 30.