Proc. 7518 Title 3--The President religious freedom in the enormous outreach by faith communities to help those harmed by the terrorist attacks. In quiet prayers offered to God in churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques and in the helping hands of faith-based groups, Americans have shown a deep love for others and gen- uine spiritual unity that will sustain us through the difficult days of recov- ery. Religious Freedom Day provides us an opportunity to celebrate America's commitment to protect the freedom of religion. On this special day, I en- courage all Americans to renew their commitment to protecting the lib- erties that make our country a beacon of hope for people around the world who seek the free exercise of religious beliefs and other freedoms. 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 January 16, 2002, as Reli- gious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day by asking for the blessing and protection of Almighty God for our Nation, and to engage in appropriate ceremonies and activities in their homes, schools, and places of worship as a sign of our resolve to protect and preserve our reli- gious freedom. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independ- ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7518 of January 17, 2002 Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2002 By the President of the United States of Arnerica A Proclamation For too brief a time, our Nation was blessed by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a modern American hero whose leadership rallied people of all races to rise up against injustice. His commitment to stand peacefully for the conviction that all men are created equal brought about changes in the laws of our Nation, and he paid the ultimate price for the courage he demonstrated in attempting to ensure that all men and women were treated equally in the eyes of the law and by their fellow citizens. It is with a great sense of pride and gratitude that we celebrate this 17th na- tional holiday in honor of Dr. King's life and work. Let us take this oppor- tunity to recall his vision and renew his call for equal justice for all. We enter this new year and this annual celebration with a revived national spirit. The events of September 11, 2001, have drawn us closer as a Nation and increased our resolve to protect the life and liberty we cherish. And while our patriotism and neighborly affections run high, these cir- cumstances have given us renewed purpose in rededicating ourselves to Dr. King's "dream." As he said on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Au- gust 28, 1963: "I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but 2
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