Captive Nations Week, 2005

Proclamation 7913 of July 15, 2005

Captive Nations Week, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America stands for freedom and supports those who are
oppressed. During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our
commitment to advancing democracy, defending liberty,
and protecting human rights around the world.

When President Eisenhower issued the first Captive
Nations Week proclamation in 1959, freedom was being
denied by communist regimes in Europe, Asia, and Latin
America. Millions were deprived of their rights to
freely practice religion, assemble in public, and
exercise freedom of speech. The Cold War and the
captivity of millions of people in Central and Eastern
Europe have since ended, and we have witnessed the rise
of democratic governments in countries across the
globe.

Building a free and peaceful world is the work of
generations, and this work continues. America believes
that freedom is God's gift to each man and woman in
this world and that spreading freedom's blessings is
the calling of our time. We are continuing to work to
help spread liberty and democracy to people who have
known fear and oppression. The gains in places like
Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Georgia have been
achieved through the courage, determination, and
sacrifice of millions of men and women in those
countries, with the assistance of the United States and
other allies.

As a Nation forged from the ideals of freedom, justice,
and human dignity, we will continue speaking out on
behalf of oppressed people. We will support the growth
of democratic movements and institutions in every
nation. This young century will be liberty's century,
and during Captive Nations Week, we pledge to advance
the cause of liberty for all people.

The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17,
1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the
President to issue a proclamation designating the third
week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 17
through July 23, 2005, as Captive Nations Week. I call
upon the people of the United States to observe this
week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to
reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty,
justice, and self-determination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

(Presidential Sig.)B