[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 29 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Pages 1358-1359]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8036--Captive Nations Week, 2006

 July 13, 2006

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The best hope for peace is the expansion of freedom throughout the 
world. During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our commitment to 
advancing liberty, protecting human rights, and helping people realize 
the great promise of democracy.
    In proclaiming the first Captive Nations Week in 1959, President 
Dwight Eisenhower said that ``the citizens of the United States are 
linked by bonds of family and principle to those who love freedom and 
justice on every continent.'' Over the past five decades, the force of 
human freedom has overcome hatred and resentment and overthrown tyrants 
in nations around the globe. Freedom is on the march, and today more 
people live in liberty than ever before.
    The advance of freedom is the story of our time, and we have 
witnessed remarkable democratic progress in recent years. The people of 
Afghanistan elected their first democratic parliament in more than a 
generation. The people of Kyrgyzstan drove a corrupt regime from power 
and voted for democratic change. Ending 16 years of civil war and 
interim governments, the people of Liberia were able to go to the polls, 
electing Africa's first female president. The courageous citizens of 
Iraq reached yet another important milestone in their journey towards 
democracy by forming a national unity government based upon the 
constitution they approved last October. In Lebanon, citizens recovered 
their independence and chose their members of parliament in free 
elections. That newfound independence has come under attack in recent 
days from terrorists and their state sponsors, who see freedom and 
democracy as a threat. The United States and its allies will stand with 
those in Lebanon who continue to struggle for their independence and 
sovereignty and who refuse to give over their country to extremism and 
terror.
    At this critical time in the history of freedom, no nation can evade 
the demands of human dignity. In countries like Iran, North Korea, 
Belarus, Burma, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Cuba, governments must become 
accountable to their citizens and embrace democracy. The desire for 
freedom is written in every human heart, and we can be confident that in 
this century freedom will continue to prevail.

[[Page 1359]]

    This week is also an opportunity to honor those who have stood 
against oppression and advanced the fundamental right of all to live in 
liberty. The courage and sacrifice of these men and women reflect the 
fact that tyranny can never destroy the desire to be free. Inspired by 
their example, we will carry on their work to help others realize the 
universal gift of liberty and to spread the light of democracy to every 
corner of the world.
    The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 
212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation 
designating the third week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations 
Week.''
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim July 16 through July 22, 2006, as Captive 
Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to reaffirm 
their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-
determination.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day 
of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 19, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on July 18, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
July 20.