    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 3 (Monday, January 23, 2006)]
    [Pages 73-74]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7974--Religious Freedom Day, 2006

    January 13, 2006

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        The right to religious freedom is a foundation of America. On
    Religious Freedom Day,

    [[Page 74]]

    our Nation celebrates the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for
    Religious Freedom and the protection of religious freedom in the First
    Amendment to the United States Constitution.
        Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of religion to a
    stable democracy, and our Constitution protects individuals' rights to
    worship as they choose. We reject religious discrimination in every
    form, and we continue our efforts to oppose prejudice and to counter any
    infringements on religious freedom.
        Today, we are also working to advance freedom of religion abroad.
    The Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom
    plays an important role in these efforts, advocating for religious
    freedom and actively working against religious persecution around the
    world. In recent years, we have seen important progress, including in
    Vietnam, Laos, India, Georgia, and the United Arab Emirates, and with
    the release of many individuals in countries throughout the world who
    had been imprisoned because of their faith. By helping to secure the
    religious freedom of people in other countries, we promote the spread of
    liberty and human dignity.
        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 January 16, 2006, as
    Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great
    blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for
    future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and
    activities in their schools, places of worship, neighborhoods, and
    homes.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day
    of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, 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, 9:23 a.m., January 18,
    2006]

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