Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1996

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6884 of April 11, 1996

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Today, the nations of the Western Hemisphere share a
greater commitment to peace and democracy than they
have at any other time in history. This consensus has
at its core the ideas that liberalized markets work,
that democracy is the foremost means of protecting
individual human rights, that free trade is the best
mechanism to promote growth, and that all of these
principles combine to offer hope for improving people's
lives. The interdependence of our many countries
ensures our united efforts toward these common goals.

We have seen remarkable success from hemispheric
cooperation in recent years--from migration issues, to
counter-narcotics measures, to promoting trade. This
cooperative spirit energized the Summit of the Americas
in 1994, where representatives from 34 democratically-
elected governments committed themselves to democratic
principles, effective governance, sustainable economic
growth, and a cleaner global environment. This historic
gathering recognized that peace and economic prosperity
in any one country are contingent on the health of its
neighbors.

We can also take pride in our hemisphere's abilities to
address the challenges of our rapidly changing world.
The Mexican financial crisis that shook markets last
year was contained and reversed because of U.S.-led
international support and the region's governments'
redoubled commitment to economic reform. Similarly, the
progress toward resolving the border dispute between
Peru and Ecuador demonstrated the dedication of the
Guarantors of the Rio Protocol and others to keeping
our hemisphere on a steady course. Nevertheless, recent
violations of international law and human rights are
sad reminders that one country continues to refuse to
join our family of democratic nations.

As we approach the next century, let us celebrate our
achievements and maintain high expectations for the
continued progress of our hemispheric partnerships. In
doing so, we can ensure that the Americas will continue
to prosper, integrate, and solve problems in a
cooperative, mutually beneficial manner.

NOW, THEREFORE I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 April 14, 1996, as Pan
American Day and April 14 through April 20, 1996, as
Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50
States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and officials of all other areas under the flag
of the United States to honor these observances with
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twentieth.