    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
    [Page 2062]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 8085--Thanksgiving Day, 2006

    November 16, 2006

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate
    Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and
    our people have been blessed.
        The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our
    society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet
    times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since
    early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a
    harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter
    in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during
    the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming
    President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of
    ``thanksgiving and prayer.'' During the Civil War, President Abraham
    Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving,
    reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.
        At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the
    freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces
    throughout the generations. Today, many of these courageous men and
    women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute
    to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and
    strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in
    our prayers.
        Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country,
    where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every
    person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve
    something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in
    the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and
    healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the
    year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family,
    and faith, and may God continue to bless America.
        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 Thursday, November 23,
    2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to
    gather together in their homes and places of worship with family,
    friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give
    thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day
    of November, 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., November 20,
    2006]

    Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 17, and it will be published in the Federal
    Register on November 21.