[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 18 (Monday, May 8, 2006)]
[Pages 826-827]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8010--Law Day, U.S.A., 2006

 April 28, 2006

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America's legal system is central to protecting the constitutional 
principles on which our Nation was founded. As we observe Law Day, we 
celebrate our heritage of freedom, justice, and equality under the law.
    This year's Law Day theme, ``Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, 
Balanced Powers,'' honors the wisdom of the separation of powers that 
the Framers of our Constitution established for the Federal Government. 
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention recognized the risks that 
accompany the concentration of power and devised a system in which the 
Federal Government's authorities are divided among three independent 
branches. James Madison highlighted the importance of our Constitution's 
separation of powers when he wrote, ``the accumulation of all powers, 
legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands . . . may 
justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.''
    Throughout our Nation's history, we have been reminded repeatedly of 
the wisdom of the Framers' design. Our system of separation of powers 
has safeguarded our liberties and helped ensure that we remain a 
government of laws. Law Day is an occasion for us to celebrate our 
Constitution and to honor those in the judiciary and legal profession 
who work to uphold and serve its principles.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby 
proclaim May 1, 2006, as Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon all the people of 
the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities. I also call upon Government officials to display the flag of 
the United States in support of this national observance.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth 
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and

[[Page 827]]

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., May 2, 2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 3. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.