United Nations Day, 2001

Proclamation 7490 of October 24, 2001

United Nations Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On June 26, 1945, representatives from 50 countries
signed the charter creating the United Nations (U.N.),
which inaugurated a new era of unprecedented
international cooperation. The world had then just
emerged victorious against the threat of global
tyranny, and these representatives resolved to preserve
peace through international cooperation and collective
security. Officially coming into existence on October
24, 1945, the U.N. became the central organization
charged with carrying out this mission. Since then, it
has worked to maintain world peace and security, to
develop friendly relations among nations, to cooperate
in solving international problems, and to promote
respect for human rights.

Today, 189 countries belong to the United Nations. The
organization's mission remains as urgent as ever,
particularly as our world confronts new challenges in
the 21st century. The recent terrorist attacks on the
United States not only threatened Americans, they also
threatened civilized people everywhere who believe in
freedom and peace. These tragic events remind us all of
the vitally important unified efforts necessary to
building international security and to guaranteeing a
more peaceful world for us and for our children.

Americans are a generous and compassionate people,
willing to do all we can to help alleviate poverty and
suffering around the world. These efforts include close
cooperative ventures with the United Nations
organizations through its many humanitarian programs.
As our country observes United Nations Day, 2001, we
pause to reflect on the noble history of the U.N. and
to praise its many contributions toward providing a
better quality of life for people around the globe. We
also celebrate the U.N.'s commitment to promoting human
rights, protecting the environment, fighting disease,
fostering development, and reducing poverty. By
reaffirming our desire to advance these goals, America
looks forward to continued progress in addressing the
challenges that face humanity and to achieving a
brighter future for the world.

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, 2001, 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-fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand one, and of the

Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-sixth.

(Presidential Sig.)B