United Nations Day, 2002

Proclamation 7614 of October 23, 2002

United Nations Day, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The United Nations was founded 57 years ago to improve
our global community by strengthening the ties among
member nations through improved communication, expanded
understanding, and enhanced security. On United Nations
Day, America joins the world in commemorating the
founding of this important international organization
and recognizing the profound impact it has had on our
world and the role that it continues to play.

Since October 24, 1945, the United Nations Organization
has grown to include 191 member states. Through its
relief agencies, the U.N. aids and protects millions of
refugees and displaced persons worldwide. For example,
in 2001, the United Nations World Food Program provided
aid to 77 million people in 82 countries and helped to
avert a severe famine that threatened Afghanistan. The
U.N. also seeks to improve living conditions around the
globe by immunizing children, providing safe drinking
water, and fighting disease.

The United States remains committed to helping the U.N.
to advance human rights, healthcare, security, and
education throughout the world; and we will continue to
meet these and other commitments as we rejoin the
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization. Our country continues to work with the
U.N. in supplying aid for nations and peoples in need
or distress, and in providing medical care and other
essentials through U.N. agencies such as UNICEF.

As our world faces new challenges and opportunities,
the efforts of the United Nations take on a renewed
significance. The United States recognizes the U.N. for
its efforts to support and strengthen the international
coalition against global terror. And we hope the United
Nations will fulfill its role in addressing the threats
posed to the civilized world, particularly the threat
now posed by Iraq. As a founding member of the U.N.,
the United States reaffirms our dedication to this
vital organization and our hope that it will continue
to fulfill the vision of its founders.

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 October 24, 2002, as United
Nations Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to observe this day with appropriate programs
and activities.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B