[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 14 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Pages 510-511]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8236--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2008

 April 10, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we underscore the 
importance of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Western Hemisphere 
where our common values continue to strengthen friendships, advance 
freedom, and encourage fair trade.
    The love of liberty is deeply rooted in our hemisphere. In the 
earliest days of our Republic, the people of the United States inspired 
patriots throughout the Americas to take their own stand for 
independence. Today, the decent and honorable people of both American 
continents are united in the desire for freedom and democracy. The 
United States stands with those who respect human rights and those who 
seek to bring change and hope to their countries. We look forward to the 
day when all of the Americas are wholly free and democratic.
    My Administration remains committed to helping our friends as they 
advance the cause

[[Page 511]]

of justice and economic opportunity throughout the Western Hemisphere. 
Through Millennium Challenge Compacts, we support development in 
countries that govern justly, invest in their people, and promote 
economic freedom. In addition, the Dominican Republic-Central America-
United States Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2005, has opened markets 
and created opportunities for American businesses, strengthened economic 
ties with our neighbors to the south, and brought hope to people so that 
they can better care for themselves and for their families. In December 
of 2007, I signed the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement 
Implementation Act to bring economic gains for both of our countries, 
empower workers, and foster accountability and the rule of law. We seek 
to build on these successes by working with the Congress to approve the 
United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and the United States-
Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. These and other free trade agreements 
enhance prosperity in the United States and signal our firm support for 
those who share our values of freedom and democracy.
    As we recognize Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we will 
continue to work together to advance our common interests and build a 
future in which opportunity reaches into every community.
    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 
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2008, as Pan 
American Day and April 13 through April 19, 2008, 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 tenth day of 
April, in the
year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the 
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:29 a.m., April 11, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
14. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
version of this proclamation.