For Immediate Release
Office of the
April 30, 2003
Loyalty Day, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
To be an American is not a matter of blood or birth. Our citizens
are bound by ideals that represent the hope of all mankind: that all
men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our
allegiance to our country and resolve to uphold the vision of our
Forefathers.
Our founding principles have endured, guiding our Nation toward
progress and prosperity and allowing the United States to be a leader
among nations of the world. Throughout our history, honorable men and
women have demonstrated their loyalty to America by making remarkable
sacrifices to preserve and protect these values.
Today, America's men and women in uniform are protecting our
Nation, defending the peace of the world, and advancing the cause of
liberty. The world has seen again the fine character of our Nation
through our military as they fought to protect the innocent and
liberate the oppressed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are honored by
the service of foreign nationals in our Armed Services whose
willingness to risk their lives for a country they cannot yet call
their own is proof of the loyalty this country inspires. Their service
and sacrifice are a testament to their love for America, and our
soldiers' honor on and off the battlefield reaffirms our Nation's most
deeply held beliefs: that every life counts, and that all humans have
an unalienable right to live as free people.
These values must be imparted to each new generation. Our children
need to know that our Nation is a force for good in the world,
extending hope and freedom to others. By learning about America's
history, achievements, ideas, and heroes, our young citizens will come
to understand even more why freedom is worth protecting.
Last September, I announced several initiatives that will help
improve students' knowledge of American history, increase their civic
involvement, and deepen their love for our great country. The We the
People initiative will encourage the teaching of American history and
civic education by providing grants for curriculum development and
training seminars. The Our Documents initiative will use the Internet
to bring infor-mation about and the text of 100 of America's most
important documents from the National Archives to classrooms and
com-munities across the country. These initiatives are important, for
it is only when our children have an understanding of our past that
they will be able to lead the future.
This Loyalty Day, as we express allegiance to our Nation and its
founding ideals, we resolve to ensure that the blessings of liberty
endure and extend for generations to come.
The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated May
1 of each year as "Loyalty Day," and I ask all Americans to join me in
this day of celebration and in reaffirming our allegiance to our
Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2003, as Loyalty Day. I call
upon all the people of the United States to join in support of this
national observance. I also call upon government officials to display
the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Loyalty
Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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