[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 28 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Page 1006]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8274--Captive Nations Week, 2008

 July 18, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Freedom is the longing of every soul and the birthright of all 
mankind. During Captive Nations Week, we underscore our commitment to 
advancing democracy, defending liberty, and protecting human rights 
around the world.
    It is in our Nation's interest to help those who are suffering under 
oppressive regimes defeat the ideologues of hate with an ideology of 
hope. Advancing the cause of liberty advances the cause of peace. A free 
society upholds justice and defends human dignity. Over the years, many 
have underestimated the power of freedom to overcome tyranny, but 
history has shown us that freedom will prevail.
    In the 20th century, the evils of Soviet communism and Nazi fascism 
were defeated and freedom spread around the world as new democracies 
emerged. Today, our Nation faces new struggles with adversaries who 
murder the innocent and seek to subject millions to their violent, 
totalitarian rule. Still, we remain confident that the light of liberty 
will again overcome this darkness.
    To bring that day about, we must support young democracies in places 
like Afghanistan and Iraq. In countries like Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Iran, 
North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe, people continue to live under 
oppressive regimes, and we will work for the day when all these nations 
are free. By opposing these despots and helping young democracies grow, 
we will lay the foundation of peace and prosperity for generations to 
come. Throughout Captive Nations Week, we renew our pledge that as 
people across the world find their own paths to freedom, they will also 
find a friend in the United States of America.
    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, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 
26, 2008, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United 
States to reaffirm our commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, 
and self-determination.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day 
of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 22, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
July 23. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of this proclamation.