115 STAT. 2598 PROCLAMATION 7403—JAN. 20, 2001 i-n <x UJg UJ(/)w SoO H5t^ CSi o23 ~ lUQ--- g<o <z Proclamation 7403 of January 20, 2001 National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, 2001 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Nearly 200 years ago, on March 4, 1801, our young Nation celebrated an important milestone in its history, the first transfer of power between political parties, as Thomas Jefferson took the oath of office as President. On this bicentennial of that event, we pause to remember and give thanks to Almighty God for our unbroken heritage of democracy, the peaceful transition of power, and the perseverance of our Government through the challenges of war and peace, want and prosperity, discord and harmony. President Jefferson also wrote, "The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time" and asked, "Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are of
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