Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3744

 123STA T . 3 7 2 4PROCL A M AT I O N8 441 — OCT. 1 9, 2 0 09 upon pu blic o f fici a l s,ed uca t o r s, parents, students, and all Am ericans to obser v et h is w ee k with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro -g rams .INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF , I have hereunto set m y hand this nineteenth day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the U nited States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. B ARA CK OBA M A Proclam a ti o n84 4 1 o fO cto be r1 9,20 09 UnitedNa ti o n sD a y,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 The United Nations was created 64 years ago by men and women from every corner of the world. These architects of international cooperation acted out of an idealism rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war. They had the wisdom to understand that nations could do far more to ad- vance their interests by acting together than by letting themselves be split apart. The original 51 member nations were united around a com- mitment to peace, humanity, and j ustice. Today, with 1 92 member states, the United Nations is the principle forum for all nations, large and small, to work in concert to meet the global challenges no nation can confront alone. The U.N. is vital to America ’ s efforts to create a better, safer world. Through peacekeeping missions that have saved so many lives and averted so many wars life- saving humanitarian work; critical development activities; and its uni q ue legitimacy, the U.N. can function as a forum that brings all na- tions together. The U.N. sometimes struggles to live up to its founding ideals, as it can only be effective if its member states choose to meet their own re- sponsibilities. At its best, this indispensible, if imperfect, institution helps to resolve conflicts and rebuild shattered societies; to lay the foundations of democracy, human rights, and development; and to es- tablish conditions in which people can live in dignity and mutual re- spect. The member states of the U.N. have an obligation to demonstrate the will and leadership to match the aspirations of all. Now is the time for all of us to assume our share of responsibility to meet global chal- lenges. Committed in our resolve to create a world our people deserve, we look to the future with confidence. As e x pressed in the founding val- ues of the United Nations, we share a common security and are unified by our common humanity. This truth calls us to work cooperatively with nations from around the globe in the pursuit of peace, economic prosperity, and human opportunity. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, P resident 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 October 24, 2 0 09, as United Nations D ay. I urge the G overnors of the 50 States,