Captive Nations Week, 2011

Vol. 76

Tuesday,

No. 138

July 19, 2011

Part IV

The President

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

Proclamation 8692--Captive Nations Week, 2011

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8692 of July 15, 2011

Captive Nations Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

There are times in the course of history when the
actions of ordinary people yearning for freedom ignite
the desires of people everywhere. Such brave actions
led to the birth of our Nation, the fall of the Soviet
Union, and countless other achievements that have
shaped our world. During Captive Nations Week, we
remember the men and women throughout the world still
suffering under oppressive regimes, and we underscore
our commitment to advancing freedom's cause.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Captive
Nations Week Proclamation in 1959 amidst an escalating
Cold War, affirming America's support for the
individual liberties of those living under Communist
oppression. Our world has transformed dramatically
since President Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive
Nations Week. The burst of freedom following the fall
of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union
led to the emergence of new democracies that are now
steadfast allies of the United States and key
contributors to the expansion of human rights
worldwide.

With each generation, people have breathed new life
into democratic ideals, striving for personal freedom,
political and economic reform, and justice. The United
States stands firmly behind all those who seek to
exercise their basic human rights. We will continue to
oppose the use of violence and repression and support
the universal rights of freedom of religion,
expression, and peaceful assembly; equality for men and
women under the rule of law; and the right of people to
choose their leaders.

This week, we rededicate ourselves to promoting
democratic values, economic development, and respect
for human dignity, and we express our solidarity with
freedom-seeking people everywhere whose future reflects
our greatest hope for peace.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved July 17,
1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the
President to issue a proclamation designating the third
week of July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 17
through July 23, 2011, as Captive Nations Week. I call
upon the people of the United States to reaffirm our
deep commitment to all those working for human rights
and dignity around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.