Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2008

Proclamation 8236 of April 10, 2008

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Pan American Day and during Pan American Week, we
underscore the importance of a peaceful, democratic,
and prosperous Western Hemisphere where our common
values continue to strengthen friendships, advance
freedom, and encourage fair trade.

The love of liberty is deeply rooted in our hemisphere.
In the earliest days of our Republic, the people of the
United States inspired patriots throughout the Americas
to take their own stand for independence. Today, the
decent and honorable people of both American continents
are united in the desire for freedom and democracy. The
United States stands with those who respect human
rights and those who seek to bring change and hope to
their countries. We look forward to the day when all of
the Americas are wholly free and democratic.

My Administration remains committed to helping our
friends as they advance the cause of justice and
economic opportunity throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Through Millennium Challenge Compacts, we support
development in countries that govern justly, invest in
their people, and promote economic freedom. In
addition, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United
States Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2005, has opened
markets and created opportunities for American
businesses, strengthened economic ties with our
neighbors to the south, and brought hope to people so
that they can better care for themselves and for their
families. In December of 2007, I signed the United
States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act to bring economic gains for both of our countries,
empower workers, and foster accountability and the rule
of law. We seek to build on these successes by working
with the Congress to approve the United States-Colombia
Trade Promotion Agreement and the United States-Panama
Trade Promotion Agreement. These and other free trade
agreements enhance prosperity in the United States and
signal our firm support for those who share our values
of freedom and democracy.

As we recognize Pan American Day and Pan American Week,
we will continue to work together to advance our common
interests and build a future in which opportunity
reaches into every community.

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 the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2008, as
Pan American Day and April 13 through April 19, 2008,
as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50
States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and the officials of 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
tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.