12 2 STA T .5 2 9 2 PROCL A M AT I O N8 2 36— APR. 1 0, 2008 sib i l i ty t oc o m b a t ev e r y f orm of d r ug abuse a n dtosu p port all t h ose w ho wor k to help our children avoid drug use and violence .INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of A pril, in the year of our L ord two thousand eight, and of the Inde - pendence of the U nited States of America the two hundred and thirty- second. G EORGE W. B USH Proclam a ti o n8236 o fAp ril 10, 2008 PanAmeric an D a y an d Pan American W ee k,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 P an American D ay and during Pan American Week, we underscore the importance of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Western Hemisphere where our common values continue to strengthen friend- ships, advance freedom, and encourage fair trade. The love of liberty is deeply rooted in our hemisphere. In the earliest days of our Republic, the people of the United States inspired patriots throughout the Americas to take their own stand for independence. Today, the decent and honorable people of both American continents are united in the desire for freedom and democracy. The United States stands with those who respect human rights and those who seek to bring change and hope to their countries. We look forward to the day when all of the Americas are wholly free and democratic. M y Administration remains committed to helping our friends as they advance the cause of j ustice and economic opportunity throughout the Western Hemisphere. Through Millennium C hallenge Compacts, we support development in countries that govern justly, invest in their people, and promote economic freedom. In addition, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, signed in 20 0 5 , has opened markets and created opportunities for American businesses, strengthened economic ties with our neighbors to the south, and brought hope to people so that they can better care for themselves and for their families. In December of 200 7 , I signed the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act to bring economic gains for both of our countries, empower workers, and foster accountability and the rule of law. We seek to build on these successes by working with the Congress to approve the United States- Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. These and other free trade agreements en- hance prosperity in the United States and signal our firm support for those who share our values of freedom and democracy. As we recogni z e Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we will continue to work together to advance our common interests and build a future in which opportunity reaches into every community. 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 the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April
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