For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 12, 2002
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Pan America comprises a set of regional relationships that connects
the nations of the Western Hemisphere in an increasingly interdependent
network of commercial and cultural communities. Every nation in Pan
America, with one notable exception, is committed to promoting freedom,
democracy, and the rule of law. Over the past year, the Pan American
nations have become increasingly united in purpose, seeking to ensure
the preservation of the freedoms inherent in democracy, to promote good
governance, to enhance economic development across the hemisphere, to
protect human rights, and to combat terrorism, transnational crime, and
narcotics trafficking. Continued progress in achieving these goals
will greatly improve the future of the Americas.
As a testament to the enduring spirit of cooperation that binds us
together as citizens of North, Central, and South America, the Pan
American nations have built a common front against the threat of
terrorism. Meeting in consultation on September 19, 2001, the
Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council invoked the Rio
Treaty, declaring that the terrorist attacks of September 11, were
attacks against all of the Americas. Later that same month, the OAS
Foreign Ministers called for measures to strengthen hemispheric
cooperation and adopted binding commitments, demonstrating that this
hemisphere is prepared to guard the freedoms that form the foundation
of democracy.
This firm response to the terrorist acts followed another milestone
for the region, namely, the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic
Charter. In approving this document by acclamation, the nations of the
Western Hemisphere established democracy as the birthright of every
person in the Americas. The words of this charter affirm that
governments cannot be democracies in name only, but must build upon the
guiding principles of our time and struggle to ensure the preservation
of essential civil liberties.
Pan America's unprecedented spirit of cooperation bodes well for
the 2004 Summit of the Americas, when we will have the opportunity to
review our progress and renew commitments to enhancing hemispheric
relationships. Communication, trade, travel, and advances in
technology have all combined to produce unprecedented levels of
integration and inter-dependence in the Western Hemisphere. And our
continued efforts toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas exemplify
our commitment to building a legal framework that opens the way to
self-sustaining and wide-ranging prosperity. The free exchange of
ideas and goods brings a unique vitality to our region, and serves as a
catalyst for continuing economic development at the local and national
levels.
This past year provided sobering evidence that our freedoms are not
free. We must continue to work together as a unified community to
support and defend all peoples that are denied their rights and
privileges by governments that fail to respect the essential elements
of democracy and human rights. In countering the threats of tyranny,
poverty, and lawlessness, our collective goal must be to further the
partnership we share as standard bearers of a bold vision. By working
together to promote democracy, free trade, economic prosperity,
effective governance, and human rights, we will keep the new Pan
American spirit of freedom and cooperation alive and well for
generations to come.
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 April 14, 2002, as
Pan American Day and April 14 through April 20, 2002, 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 twelfth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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