For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 10, 2003
Proclamation by the President
Proclamation by the President: Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, 2003
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
America's founders dedicated this country to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. During Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and
Human Rights Week, we recognize the advances we have made expanding
freedom, democracy, and individual rights in this country and around
the world.
America has helped bring liberty to Afghanistan and Iraq. In
countries like Belarus, Cuba, and Zimbabwe, we continue to stand with
those who struggle for democracy. We will continue to call on Burma's
ruling junta to release political prisoners and engage in an inclusive
dialogue with the democratic opposition to bring democracy to Burma.
We also look forward to the day when the men and women of North Korea
can live in a free society.
Freedom is the right of mankind and the future of every nation. It
is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to every man and
woman who lives in this world.
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 December 10, 2003, as
Human Rights Day; December 15, 2003, as Bill of Rights Day; and the
week beginning December 10, 2003, as Human Rights Week. I call upon
the people of the United States to mark these observances with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth
day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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