[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7540]

Proc. 7540

[[Page 68]]

Proclamation 7540 of April 12, 2002

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          Pan America comprises a set of regional relationships that 
          connects the nations of the Western Hemisphere in an 
          increasingly interdependent network of commercial and cultural 
          communities. Every nation in Pan America, with one notable 
          exception, is committed to promoting freedom, democracy, and 
          the rule of law. Over the past year, the Pan American nations 
          have become increasingly united in purpose, seeking to ensure 
          the preservation of the freedoms inherent in democracy, to 
          promote good governance, to enhance economic development 
          across the hemisphere, to protect human rights, and to combat 
          terrorism, transnational crime, and narcotics trafficking. 
          Continued progress in achieving these goals will greatly 
          improve the future of the Americas.
          As a testament to the enduring spirit of cooperation that 
          binds us together as citizens of North, Central, and South 
          America, the Pan American nations have built a common front 
          against the threat of terrorism. Meeting in consultation on 
          September 19, 2001, the Organization of American States (OAS) 
          Permanent Council invoked the Rio Treaty, declaring that the 
          terrorist attacks of September 11, were attacks against all of 
          the Americas. Later that same month, the OAS Foreign Ministers 
          called for measures to strengthen hemispheric cooperation and 
          adopted binding commitments, demonstrating that this 
          hemisphere is prepared to guard the freedoms that form the 
          foundation of democracy.
          This firm response to the terrorist acts followed another 
          milestone for the region, namely, the adoption of the Inter-
          American Democratic Charter. In approving this document by 
          acclamation, the nations of the Western Hemisphere established 
          democracy as the birthright of every person in the Americas. 
          The words of this charter affirm that governments cannot be 
          democracies in name only, but must build upon the guiding 
          principles of our time and struggle to ensure the preservation 
          of essential civil liberties.
          Pan America's unprecedented spirit of cooperation bodes well 
          for the 2004 Summit of the Americas, when we will have the 
          opportunity to review our progress and renew commitments to 
          enhancing hemispheric relationships. Communication, trade, 
          travel, and advances in technology have all combined to 
          produce unprecedented levels of integration and 
          interdependence in the Western Hemisphere. And our continued 
          efforts toward a Free Trade Area of the Americas exemplify our 
          commitment to building a legal framework that opens the way to 
          self-sustaining and wide-ranging prosperity. The free exchange 
          of ideas and goods brings a unique vitality to our region, and 
          serves as a catalyst for continuing economic development at 
          the local and national levels.
          This past year provided sobering evidence that our freedoms 
          are not free. We must continue to work together as a unified 
          community to support and defend all peoples that are denied 
          their rights and privileges by governments that fail to 
          respect the essential elements of democracy and human rights. 
          In countering the threats of tyranny, poverty, and 
          lawlessness, our

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          collective goal must be to further the partnership we share as 
          standard bearers of a bold vision. By working together to 
          promote democracy, free trade, economic prosperity, effective 
          governance, and human rights, we will keep the new Pan 
          American spirit of freedom and cooperation alive and well for 
          generations to come.
          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, 2002, as Pan American Day and April 14 
          through April 20, 2002, as Pan American Week. I urge 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 twelfth 
          day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of 
          the Independence of the United States of America the two 
          hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W. BUSH