Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2014

Proclamation 9104 of April 11, 2014

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, the
Western Hemisphere celebrates a significant anniversary
in our shared history--the birth of the International
Union of American Republics, forerunner to the
Organization of American States. In the 124 years
since, our nations have faced great challenges and
achieved great progress. We have built lasting
friendships, created cultural exchanges, and worked in
concert to meet the aspirations of all our peoples.

Today, the United States has more connections to our
American neighbors than any other region in the world.
These ties are essential to our security and
prosperity, and they grow ever more vital with each
passing year. Trade between our nations has surged. We
are expanding educational exchanges that open doors to
new markets, research, and opportunity. And in the
international community, we work side-by-side to meet
global challenges, from growing the world economy to
combatting climate change. In the years to come, the
United States will continue investing in clean energy,
low-carbon development, and climate-resilient,
inclusive growth. Alongside our regional partners, we
will ensure that tomorrow's global energy map will be
centered in the Americas.

Even more than shared interests, we are bound by shared
ideals. After decades of progress, Latin America is
assuming a greater role in world affairs. Together,
Americans north and south have worked to strengthen
civil society, and together we must stand for
democracy, human rights, open markets, and fair trade.
These practices advance peace and stability. They move
us toward a world where--from Boston to Buenos Aires,
from Mexico City to Montreal--human beings can pursue
their dreams in freedom and dignity.

As we renew the ties between our countries and our
peoples, let us reach for this future in the spirit of
cooperation and mutual trust.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2014, as
Pan American Day and April 13 through April 19, 2014,
as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50
States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and the officials of the 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
eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.