Captive Nations Week, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
America stands for freedom and supports those who are oppressed.
During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing
democracy, defending liberty, and protecting human rights around the
world.
When President Eisenhower issued the first Captive Nations Week
proclamation in 1959, freedom was being denied by communist regimes in
Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Millions were deprived of their rights
to freely practice religion, assemble in public, and exercise freedom of
speech. The Cold War and the captivity of millions of people in Central
and Eastern Europe have since ended, and we have witnessed the rise of
democratic governments in countries across the globe.
Building a free and peaceful world is the work of generations, and
this work continues. America believes that freedom is God's gift to each
man and woman in this world and that spreading freedom's blessings is
the calling of our time. We are continuing to work to help spread
liberty and democracy to people who have known fear and oppression. The
gains in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Georgia have been
achieved through the courage, determination, and sacrifice of millions
of men and women in those countries, with the assistance of the United
States and other allies.
As a Nation forged from the ideals of freedom, justice, and human
dignity, we will continue speaking out on behalf of oppressed people. We
will support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in
every nation. This young century will be liberty's century, and during
Captive Nations Week, we pledge to advance the cause of liberty for all
people.
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 in July of each year as "Captive Nations
Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim July 17 through July 23, 2005, as Captive
Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe
this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm
their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and
self-determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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