Captive Nations Week, 2008

Proclamation 8274 of July 18, 2008

Captive Nations Week, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Freedom is the longing of every soul and the birthright
of all mankind. During Captive Nations Week, we
underscore our commitment to advancing democracy,
defending liberty, and protecting human rights around
the world.

It is in our Nation's interest to help those who are
suffering under oppressive regimes defeat the
ideologues of hate with an ideology of hope. Advancing
the cause of liberty advances the cause of peace. A
free society upholds justice and defends human dignity.
Over the years, many have underestimated the power of
freedom to overcome tyranny, but history has shown us
that freedom will prevail.

In the 20th century, the evils of Soviet communism and
Nazi fascism were defeated and freedom spread around
the world as new democracies emerged. Today, our Nation
faces new struggles with adversaries who murder the
innocent and seek to subject millions to their violent,
totalitarian rule. Still, we remain confident that the
light of liberty will again overcome this darkness.

To bring that day about, we must support young
democracies in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. In
countries like Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea,
Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe, people continue to live
under oppressive regimes, and we will work for the day
when all these nations are free. By opposing these
despots and helping young democracies grow, we will lay
the foundation of peace and prosperity for generations
to come. Throughout Captive Nations Week, we renew our
pledge that as people across the world find their own
paths to freedom, they will also find a friend in the
United States of America.

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, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26,
2008, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people
of the United States to reaffirm our commitment to all
those seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.