Religious Freedom Day, 2006

Proclamation 7974 of January 13, 2006

Religious Freedom Day, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The right to religious freedom is a foundation of
America. On Religious Freedom Day, our Nation
celebrates the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for
Religious Freedom and the protection of religious
freedom in the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution.

Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of freedom of
religion to a stable democracy, and our Constitution
protects individuals' rights to worship as they choose.
We reject religious discrimination in every form, and
we continue our efforts to oppose prejudice and to
counter any infringements on religious freedom.

Today, we are also working to advance freedom of
religion abroad. The Department of State's Office of
International Religious Freedom plays an important role
in these efforts, advocating for religious freedom and
actively working against religious persecution around
the world. In recent years, we have seen important
progress, including in Vietnam, Laos, India, Georgia,
and the United Arab Emirates, and with the release of
many individuals in countries throughout the world who
had been imprisoned because of their faith. By helping
to secure the religious freedom of people in other
countries, we promote the spread of liberty and human
dignity.

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 January 16, 2006, as
Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to
reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty,
endeavor to preserve this freedom for future
generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate
events and activities in their schools, places of
worship, neighborhoods, and homes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirteenth day of January, 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