12 2 STA T .53 13 PROCL A M AT I O N8 258 — MA Y 2 0, 2008 19 9 2.Thosebu s in esses h av esu rp asse d a q uar t ero f a tri l lion dollars in annual e x port sales. F ree and fair trade helps reinfor c e our N ation ’ sco m mitments to de - mocrac y, transparency, and the rule of la w . This wee k and throu g hout the year, we recogni z e the importance of trade in promoting prosperity and freedom in the U nited S tates and around the world. N OW ,T HER EFORE, I , G EORGE W. B USH, P resident of the United States of A merica, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the C on- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim M ay1 8 through May 2 4 ,2 0 08, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Ameri- cans to observe this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate the benefits of trade to our Nation and the global economy. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of May, in the year of our L ord 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 n825 8o fM a y 2 0, 2008 ADayofS o lid a r i t y W it h th eCub a nP eo p le ,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 Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of worship are among the liberties that Americans cherish. Our Nation fully supports the brave people who work to secure these liberties in the countries where they are denied. And on this D ay of Solidarity with the Cuban People, we focus our attention on the men and women working to se- cure freedom, democracy, and human rights for the citizens of Cuba. For half a century, the Cuban people have suffered under oppressive dictatorship. Under the rule of Fidel and Raul Castro, Cubans have seen their political freedoms denied, their economy reduced to sham- bles, and their families torn apart. The Cuban people deserve better — and the American people stand with them as they work to achieve it. The United States is rallying the free world to the cause of Cuban lib- erty. We continue to shine a bright light on the Castro regime’s abuses—and America calls on the Government of Cuba to immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience. We keep these prisoners, their families, and all Cubans in our prayers. Especially on this Day of Solidarity, we ask the Almighty to comfort and strengthen those who suffer under the Castro dictatorship—and to hasten the day when Cuba’s suffering comes to an end. 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 21, 2008, as A Day of Solidarity with the Cuban People to recognize those who are suffering in Cuba, especially Cuba’s prisoners of conscience.
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