Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3662

 123STA T . 3 64 2 PROCL A M AT I O N8 3 7 4 — MA Y 7 , 2 0 0 9Witha t r a nsp ar e nt ,f ree, an d fair fra m e wo r k ,we c an make trade a pow - erf ul contri b utor to the re v ival of the U.S . and g lobal economies. NO W, THER E F ORE, I , BA RA CK OBA M A, P resident of the United States of America, b y virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 17 through May 23 ,2 0 0 9, 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 si x th day of May, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8374 o fM a y 7 ,20 0 9Nation a lD a y o fPr ay e r ,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 Throughout our Nation ’ s history, Americans have come together in mo- ments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 177 5, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of q uiet humilia- tion and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance. It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National D ay of Prayer. Let us remem- ber those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the cour- age and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world. On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sac- rifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recog- ni z e that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience. Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together the G olden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dig- nity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.