Thomas Jefferson Day, 2001

Proclamation 7426 of April 12, 2001

Thomas Jefferson Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation's Founding Fathers overcame enormous
obstacles to establish a system of government unequaled
in history. We are the beneficiaries of their
sacrifice, courage, and honor. But among these
legendary patriots, Thomas Jefferson remains unique as
the one who articulated the essential values and
principles of American liberty and freedom. Today, we
gather here to celebrate the birthday of Thomas
Jefferson and to reflect on his enduring contributions
to the United States and the world.

Few Americans have shaped our collective destiny as
thoroughly and as originally as Thomas Jefferson. His
achievements are breathtaking in their scope and
diversity. Beyond his achievements in public life as
Governor of Virginia, author of the Statute of Virginia
for Religious Freedom, Secretary of State, third
President of the United States, and founder of the
University of Virginia, Jefferson was a scholar,
author, naturalist, inventor, bibliophile, and
architect.

As President, Jefferson supported the Lewis and Clark
expedition and concluded the $15 million purchase of
the Louisiana Territory from France. He sold his
personal library to the Library of Congress to replace
its collection destroyed by the British in the War of
1812.

Thomas Jefferson's crowning achievement, however, was
the Declaration of Independence. As its primary author,
Jefferson drafted an immortal document that altered the
way the world viewed the relationship between
government and the governed. Jefferson's assertion of
``inalienable rights'' including ``life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness'' established the democratic
standard by which our Nation would measure itself. Many
other nations and peoples likewise strive to measure up
to the standard set forth in the Declaration of
Independence.

Thomas Jefferson's words are as thrilling and inspiring
in 2001 as they must have been to his revolutionary
allies in 1776. Our Nation has changed, our technology
has progressed, but our basic love for liberty and
freedom remains the same. As proud Americans, we must
work together to maintain the vigor and strength of
Jefferson's vision and to fulfill its promise of a
better life for all our citizens. Doing this is our
responsibility, and our gift, to the man who laid the
foundation for what became the freest nation in the
world.

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 of America, do hereby proclaim April 13, 2001,
as Thomas Jefferson Day. I encourage all Americans to
join in this celebration of Thomas Jefferson's
achievements, and to learn more about his unique
influence on our history, traditions, and values.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

(Presidential Sig.)B