Thanksgiving Day, 2006

Proclamation 8085 of November 16, 2006

Thanksgiving Day, 2006

By The President Of The United States of America

A Proclamation

As Americans gather with family and friends to
celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many
ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.

The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest
days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in
our history and in quiet times around family tables.
Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers
gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed
a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to
survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George
Washington observed Thanksgiving during the
Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after
becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a
national day of ``thanksgiving and prayer.'' During the
Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the
tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving,
reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.

At this time of great promise for America, we are
grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our
Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces
throughout the generations. Today, many of these
courageous men and women are securing our peace in
places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to
their families for their service, sacrifice, and
strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and
lift them up in our prayers.

Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's
freest country, where the hope of the American dream is
within the reach of every person. Americans share a
desire to answer the universal call to serve something
greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every
day in the millions of volunteers throughout our
country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On
this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us
show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom,
family, and faith, and may God continue to bless
America.

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 Thursday, November 23, 2006,
as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all
Americans to gather together in their homes and places
of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to
reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the
freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.