12 2 STA T .5 2 7 1 PROCL A M AT I O N8 217 —J AN. 18 , 2 0 08 ensuri n gtha t o ur c ountr y’ s p ro m ise e x ten d stoa l l A mericans across this great land .I n the b rie f time D r. K ing w al k ed upon this earth , he de v oted his life to strengthening the content of the American character and called on our N ation to live up to its founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all its citi z ens. Dr. King’s faith in the Almighty gave him the courage to confront discrimination and segregation, and he preached that all the powers of evil are ultimately no match for even one individual armed with eternal truths. T hrough his determina - tion, spirit, and resolve, Dr. King helped lift souls and lead one of the greatest movements for e q uality and freedom in history. O ur Nation has made progress toward realizing Dr. King’s dream, yet the work to achieve liberty and j ustice for all is never-ending. In J uly of 20 0 6 , I was honored to sign the ‘ ‘ F annie L ou H amer, R osa P arks, and C oretta S cott King V oting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006,’’ to renew the Voting Rights Act of 19 6 5 and reaffirm our commitment to securing the voting rights of all Americans. M y Admin- istration will continue to protect the rights won through the sacrifice of Dr. King and other civil rights leaders, and our country will never rest until equality is real, opportunity is universal, and all citizens are empowered to realize their dreams. As we observe Dr. King’s birthday, I encourage all Americans to cele- brate his memory by performing acts of kindness through service to others. Let us live out Dr. King’s teachings as we continue to work for the day when the dignity and humanity of every person is respected. NO W ,TH E REFORE, I, G EORGE W. BU SH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 200 8 , as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs and activities in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclam a ti o n8217 o fJ an u ar y 18 , 2 0 08 Nation a lS an c tit y o fHum an L if eD ay ,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we recognize that each life has inherent dignity and matchless value, and we reaffirm our steadfast determination to defend the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. America was founded on the belief that all men are created equal and have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and our country remains committed to upholding that founding prin-
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