[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 45, Number 2 (Monday, January 19, 2009)]
[Page 82]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8340--Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2009

 January 15, 2009

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we recognize one of 
history's most consequential advocates for equality and civil rights, 
and we celebrate his powerful message of justice and hope. Our Nation is 
better because Dr. King was a man of courage and vision who understood 
that love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred.
    As Americans, we believe it is self-evident that all men are created 
equal and that freedom is not a grant of government but a gift from the 
Author of Life. Dr. King trusted in these beliefs articulated in our 
founding documents even when our country's practices did not live up to 
its promises. He roused the conscience of a complacent Nation by drawing 
attention to the ugliness of discrimination and segregation and by 
calling on Americans to live up to our guarantee of equality.
    Our Nation has seen tremendous progress in redeeming the ideals of 
America and protecting every person's God-given rights. The historic 
election of Barack Obama as President of the United States reflects the 
real advances our Nation has made in the fight against the bigotry that 
Dr. King opposed. More work remains, though, and we must heed Dr. King's 
words that ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' By 
continuing to spread his message and demanding that the equal rights he 
fought for are extended to all people, we can ensure that the dignity of 
every person is respected and that the hope for a better tomorrow 
reaches every community throughout the world.
    As we observe Dr. King's birthday, we commemorate his leadership and 
strength of character. We go forward with confidence that if we remain 
true to our founding principles, our Nation will continue to advance the 
cause of justice and remain a beacon of hope to people everywhere.
     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 January 19, 2009, as 
the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans 
to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service 
programs and activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 
of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, 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, 11:15 a.m., January 21, 
2009]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on January 16, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on January 22.