For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 11, 2003
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Our Nation takes great pride in the unity of the Pan American
community. We enjoy strong bonds of friendship with our neighbors
throughout the Western Hemisphere, and the almost 33 million citizens
of Latin American and Caribbean descent who are a part of the rich
cultural diversity of our country. Their contributions have enriched
our Nation. In the Western Hemisphere, we share common commitments to
overcoming poverty, achieving peace and prosperity for all, and
providing safety in our hemisphere. As we observe Pan American Day and
Pan American Week, we renew our dedication to working with the Pan
American community of nations to protect democracy, promote economic
growth, and provide for the defense and security of all our citizens.
The governments of the region continue to make important progress
in advancing democracy, as demonstrated by the free, fair, and
transparent elections that took place throughout the region this past
year. The United States joins with our neighbors in the hemisphere in
congratulating the citizens and governments of those nations on their
achievements, and my Administration remains dedicated to working with
the democratically elected governments of the Americas to defend
freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened. The historic
Inter-American Democratic Charter, adopted on September 11, 2001,
continues to guide efforts across the region to protect human rights
and political freedoms, combat corruption, promote good governance, and
strengthen democratic institutions.
The countries of our hemisphere have made great strides in opening
their economies in recent decades, and we must continue to work towards
open exchanges of ideas and goods throughout Pan America. To promote
these goals, we must welcome the expansion of economic integration and
renew our dedication to creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Ensuring hemispheric security remains one of our most important
common objectives. Today and in the future, we will continue our
efforts to safeguard our citizens and to ensure that individuals
throughout our hemisphere enjoy the full benefits of freedom. By
working together, we can achieve the Pan American goals of protecting
democracy and human rights, defeating tyranny, and overcoming poverty
and lawlessness.
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, 2003, as
Pan American Day, and April 13 through April 19, 2003, as Pan American
Week. I encourage 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 eleventh 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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