118 STAT. 4136 PROCLAMATION 7788—MAY 14, 2004 making America less dependent on foreign sources of energy; and per- manently eliminating the death tax. In this Small Business Week, we salute America’s small business own- ers and entrepreneurs and workers for their contributions to America’s prosperity and for making our Nation better and stronger. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 May 16 through May 22, 2004, as Small Business Week. I call upon all the peo- ple of the United States to observe this week with appropriate cere- monies, activities, and programs that celebrate the achievements of small business owners and their employees and encourage and foster the development of new small businesses. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twen- ty-eighth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 7788 of May 14, 2004 World Trade Week, 2004 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Participating in the world economy makes America’s economy strong- er. By opening new markets for American products and services, bring- ing lower prices and more choices to American consumers, and attract- ing foreign companies to invest and hire in the United States, free and fair trade helps create better jobs for American workers. During World Trade Week, we celebrate the benefits trade brings to our citizens, our economy, and to countries and people around the world. Since World War II, the United States has led the world in advancing trade to create jobs for American workers, increase choice for con- sumers, and ensure that quality American goods and services are sold on every continent. Today, millions of American jobs depend on our goods and services being sold overseas, and foreign-owned companies and their suppliers employ millions of Americans here at home. My Administration has aggressively negotiated trade agreements that slash foreign tariffs and remove the barriers to selling American goods and services around the world. Since 2001, we have entered into free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore and concluded negotiations with Australia, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, and five countries in Central America. Free trade agreement negotiations with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Bahrain, Thailand, and five member countries of the Southern African Customs Union are in progress or about to begin. We are also working with our neighbors in the Western Hemi- sphere to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas that will form the world’s largest common market and improve the lives of citizens in America and these countries. By opening foreign markets to American VerDate 11-MAY-2000 15:04 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 8087 Sfmt 8087 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.004 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4
�
