Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 122.djvu/5411

 12 2 STA T .538 8 PROCL A M AT I O N 8322 — NO V .21 , 2 0 08 INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have he r e untos et my han d th i st w entieth day o f Novem b er, in the year of our L ord two thousand ei g ht, and of the Inde p enden c eofthe U nited States of A merica the two hundred and thirty - third .G EORGE W. B USH Proclam a ti o n832 2o fN o ve m b er2 1, 2 0 08 Thanksgiv ing D a y,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 Than k sgiving is a time for fami l ies and friends to gather together and e x press gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we en j oy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recogni z e that all of these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God. Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the P ilgrims who came to America in search of religious freedom and a better life. Having ar- rived in the New World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author of Life for granting them safe passage to this abundant land and pro- tecting them through a bitter winter. Our Nation ’ s first President, George Washington, stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation that ‘ ‘It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Al- mighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and hum- bly to implore His protection and favor.’’ While in the midst of the C ivil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of pro- claiming a day of thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and re- store our country. Today, as we look back on the beginnings of our democracy, Ameri- cans recall that we live in a land of many blessings where every person has the right to live, work, and worship in freedom. Our Nation is es- pecially thankful for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who protect these rights while setting aside their own comfort and safety. Their courage keeps us free, their sacrifice makes us grateful, and their character makes us proud. Especially during the holidays, our whole country keeps them and their families in our thoughts and prayers. Americans are also mindful of the need to share our gifts with others, and our Nation is moved to compassionate action. We pay trib- ute to all caring citizens who reach out a helping hand and serve a cause larger than themselves. On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation’s first days and who blesses us today. M ay He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always. 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 November 27 ,2 0 0 8, as a National D ay of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to strengthen the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

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