[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.