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STAT.]

PROCLAMATION 3691-DEC. 2, 1965

1739

Proclamation 3691 BILL OF RIGHTS DAY HUMAN RIGHTS DAY By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation

WHEREAS December 10, 1965, is the l7th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which voices the aspirations of all mankind, and December 15, 1965, is the I74th anniversary of the first ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, which we honor as our Bill of Rights; and WHEREAS the Universal Declaration is a further recognition of the great principles of freedom of speech, press, and assembly, of freedom of religion and conscience, of assurance of fair trial, and of the right to participate in government—all rights which are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States; and WHEREAS people everywhere in the world find common cause in the demand for more effective recognition—in law and in practice— of the inalienable right of every person to equal dignity and equal opportunity; and WHEREAS our American heritage has found further expression in our own country through the adoption of new legislation for the protection of civil rights, for the guarantee of voting rights, and for the extension of economic opportunity to those who have not shared equally in the prosperity and promise of our time: NOW, THEREFORE, I, LYNDON B. JOHNSON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 10, 1965, as Human Rights Day and December 15, 1965, as Bill of Rights Day, and call upon the people of the United States to observe the week of December 10-17 as Human Rights Week. Let us never forget the words cast on the big bell at Independence Hall, "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land and unto all the inhabitants thereof." The Congress of the United States, our Executive Departments, the Courts, and men and women of good will throughout the land are daily demonstrating their determination that no one shall be denied enjoyment of his rights or equal opportunity to rise as far as his abilities will take him. During this Human Rights Week, let us pause to reaffirm the ideals and principles which have been at the foundation of our country's growth and greatness—ideals which have stirred the minds and hearts of men from time immemorial, and which take on new power and promise for all peoples in this splendid age of scientific and cultural achievement. Let each of us, in daily life, do what he can to make this a truly just and compassionate nation, remembering that as we work for freedom here—freedom from discrimination, freedom from ignorance, from poverty, from all that makes for fear and prejudice—we work not only for ourselves but for all mankind. I N W I T N E S S WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed. 65-300 0-67—10

December 2, 1965

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