For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 7, 2006
Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
During Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we honor the commitment to
liberty and common values we share with our Pan American neighbors.
The love of freedom has deep roots in the Pan American community. Not long
after the United States won independence from Britain, patriots throughout
the Americas were inspired to take their own stand. Today, there are more
than 30 democratic countries in the region, and through the Organization of
American States, leaders in the Western Hemisphere have an opportunity to
discuss shared goals, promote prosperity, and strengthen democratic
governance and institutions.
One of the surest ways to make opportunity real for all our citizens is
through free and fair trade. In August 2005, I signed legislation to
implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Our investment and trade through the CAFTA-DR will
help build a better life for our citizens, and by reducing trade barriers,
we can make our region more competitive in the global economy. Strong
economic ties with democracies in our hemisphere foster stability and
security and help lay the foundation for peace for generations to come.
The people of the Western Hemisphere are united by history, geography, and
shared ideals. We will continue our important work to build a region that
lives in liberty and grows in prosperity.
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, 2006, as Pan American Day and April 9 through
April 15, 2006, 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 seventh day of April,
in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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