Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3620

 123STA T . 3 60 0 PROCL A M AT I O N8 338 —J AN. 13, 200 9Proclam a ti o n83 38o fJ an u ar y1 3 ,20 0 9Relig i ousFr ee d o mDay,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Relig i ousfr ee d o m is th e fou n d a tion of a health y and ho p eful so c iety .O n Religious F reedom D ay ,w e recogni z e the importance of the 1786 passage of the V irginia S tatute for Religious Freedom. W e also cele -b rate the first liberties enshrined in our C onstitution ’ s B ill of Rights, which guarantee the free e x ercise of religion for all A mericans and pro- hibit an establishment of religion. Our N ation was founded by people see k ing ha v en from religious perse- cution, and the religious liberty they found here remains one of this land’s greatest blessings. As Americans, we believe that all people have inherent dignity and worth. T hough we may profess different creeds and worship in different manners and places, we respect each other’s humanity and expression of faith. P eople with diverse views can prac- tice their faiths here while living together in peace and harmony, car- rying on our Nation’s noble tradition of religious freedom. The U nited States also stands with religious dissidents and believers from around the globe who practice their faith peacefully. Freedom is not a grant of government or a right for Americans alone it is the birth- right of every man, woman, and child throughout the world. No human freedom is more fundamental than the right to worship in accordance with one’s conscience. Religious Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate our legacy of reli- gious liberty, foster a culture of tolerance and peace, and renew com- mitments to ensure that every person on E arth can en j oy these basic human rights. NOW, T H EREFORE, I , G EORGE 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 J anuary 16, 20 0 9, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. GEORGE W. BUSH