Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2006

Proclamation 7999 of April 7, 2006

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

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.

(Presidential Sig.)B