Religious Freedom Day, 2002

Proclamation 7517 of January 15, 2002

Religious Freedom Day, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our Republic, a
core principle of our Constitution, and a fundamental
human right. Many of those who first settled in
America, such as Pilgrims, came for the freedom of
worship and belief that this new land promised. And
when the British Colonies became the United States, our
Founders constitutionally limited our Federal
Government's capacity to interfere with religious
belief by prohibiting the Congress from passing any law
``respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'' These
constitutional limits have allowed the flourishing of
faith across our country, which greatly blesses our
land.

George Washington forcefully expressed our collective
constitutional promise to protect the rights of people
of all faiths, in a historic letter he wrote to the
Jewish community at Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode
Island: ``the Government of the United States, which
gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no
assistance, requires only that they who live under its
protection should demean themselves as good
citizens....'' Today, our cities are home to
synagogues, churches, temples, mosques, and other
houses of worship that peacefully welcome Americans of
every belief. Preserving religious freedom has helped
America avoid the wars of religion that have plagued so
many cultures throughout history, with deadly
consequences.

Today, as America wages war against terror, our resolve
to defend religious freedom remains as strong as ever.
Many miles from home, American service men and women
have risked their lives in our efforts to drive the
Taliban regime from power, ending an era of brutal
oppression, including religious oppression. At home,
Americans demonstrated the vitality of our religious
freedom in the enormous outreach by faith communities
to help those harmed by the terrorist attacks. In quiet
prayers offered to God in churches, synagogues,
temples, and mosques and in the helping hands of faith-
based groups, Americans have shown a deep love for
others and genuine spiritual unity that will sustain us
through the difficult days of recovery.

Religious Freedom Day provides us an opportunity to
celebrate America's commitment to protect the freedom
of religion. On this special day, I encourage all
Americans to renew their commitment to protecting the
liberties that make our country a beacon of hope for
people around the world who seek the free exercise of
religious beliefs and other freedoms.

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, 2002, as
Religious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to observe
this day by asking for the blessing and protection of
Almighty God for our Nation, and to engage in
appropriate ceremonies and activities in their homes,
schools, and places of worship as a sign of our resolve
to protect and preserve our religious freedom.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B