For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 13, 2004
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Each year on Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we
honor the bonds of friendship that unite the Pan American community.
With the exception of one country, the nations of the Western
Hemisphere recognize the importance of working together to strengthen
democratic institutions, promote economic prosperity, invest in our
people, and improve our security. At the recent 2004 Special Summit of
the Americas, the 34 democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere
reaffirmed their commitment to the Inter-American Democratic Charter to
defend democracy and freedom whenever they are threatened. Our unity
and support of democratic institutions, constitutional processes, and
basic liberties give hope and strength to those struggling around the
world.
The nations of the Western Hemisphere will continue to draw upon
the Charter to strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and
freedoms, encourage economic growth, and promote good governance. As
neighbors, we are expanding prosperity through open markets and
economic reforms -- creating new opportunities for millions of people
and continued economic progress benefiting the nations of our
hemisphere. My Administration will continue to work toward the
creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, scheduled for
completion in 2005.
To protect the rights and freedoms of all our citizens, the Pan
American community must also combat the forces that threaten
democracy: terrorism, drug trafficking, and other crimes that
transcend national borders. The Declaration on Security in the
Americas, adopted at the October 2003 Organization of American States
Special Conference on Security, underscores our hemisphere's interest
in collectively maintaining peace and security across the Americas.
The United States welcomes the opportunity to work with our neighbors
to advance the Declaration's goals to safeguard our citizens as we
build for a future that is peaceful, just, and prosperous.
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, 2004, as
Pan American Day and April 11 through April 17, 2004, 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 thirteenth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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