Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part V

The President

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Proclamation 7663--Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7663 of April 11, 2003

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our Nation takes great pride in the unity of the Pan
American community. We enjoy strong bonds of friendship
with our neighbors throughout the Western Hemisphere,
and the almost 33 million citizens of Latin American
and Caribbean descent who are a part of the rich
cultural diversity of our country. Their contributions
have enriched our Nation. In the Western Hemisphere, we
share common commitments to overcoming poverty,
achieving peace and prosperity for all, and providing
safety in our hemisphere. As we observe Pan American
Day and Pan American Week, we renew our dedication to
working with the Pan American community of nations to
protect democracy, promote economic growth, and provide
for the defense and security of all our citizens.

The governments of the region continue to make
important progress in advancing democracy, as
demonstrated by the free, fair, and transparent
elections that took place throughout the region this
past year. The United States joins with our neighbors
in the hemisphere in congratulating the citizens and
governments of those nations on their achievements, and
my Administration remains dedicated to working with the
democratically elected governments of the Americas to
defend freedoms whenever and wherever they are
threatened. The historic Inter-American Democratic
Charter, adopted on September 11, 2001, continues to
guide efforts across the region to protect human rights
and political freedoms, combat corruption, promote good
governance, and strengthen democratic institutions.

The countries of our hemisphere have made great strides
in opening their economies in recent decades, and we
must continue to work towards open exchanges of ideas
and goods throughout Pan America. To promote these
goals, we must welcome the expansion of economic
integration and renew our dedication to creating a Free
Trade Area of the Americas.

Ensuring hemispheric security remains one of our most
important common objectives. Today and in the future,
we will continue our efforts to safeguard our citizens
and to ensure that individuals throughout our
hemisphere enjoy the full benefits of freedom. By
working together, we can achieve the Pan American goals
of protecting democracy and human rights, defeating
tyranny, and overcoming poverty and lawlessness.

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 April 14, 2003, as Pan
American Day, and April 13 through April 19, 2003, as
Pan American Week. I encourage 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
eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B