[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 15 (Monday, April 17, 2006)]
[Page 669]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7999--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2006

 April 7, 2006

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    During Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we honor the 
commitment to liberty and common values we share with our Pan American 
neighbors.
    The love of freedom has deep roots in the Pan American community. 
Not long after the United States won independence from Britain, patriots 
throughout the Americas were inspired to take their own stand. Today, 
there are more than 30 democratic countries in the region, and through 
the Organization of American States, leaders in the Western Hemisphere 
have an opportunity to discuss shared goals, promote prosperity, and 
strengthen democratic governance and institutions.
    One of the surest ways to make opportunity real for all our citizens 
is through free and fair trade. In August 2005, I signed legislation to 
implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free 
Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Our investment and trade through the CAFTA-
DR will help build a better life for our citizens, and by reducing trade 
barriers, we can make our region more competitive in the global economy. 
Strong economic ties with democracies in our hemisphere foster stability 
and security and help lay the foundation for peace for generations to 
come.
    The people of the Western Hemisphere are united by history, 
geography, and shared ideals. We will continue our important work to 
build a region that lives in liberty and grows in prosperity.
     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 April 14, 2006, as Pan 
American Day and April 9 through April 15, 2006, as Pan American Week. I 
urge the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag of the 
United States of America to honor these observances with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
April, 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, 8:50 a.m., April 10, 
2006]

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