President George W. Bush invites children on stage, Tuesday, November 22, 2005, to pet "Marshmallow and Yam" the National Thanksgiving Turkey, at the official pardoning of the turkey at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. | |
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Expressing the nation’s
gratitude for living in a country "where freedom reigns,
justice prevails, and hope prospers," President Bush
proclaimed Thursday, November 24, 2005, a National Day of
Thanksgiving.
Presidents traditionally so designate the
fourth Thursday of each November. By statute, Thanksgiving
Day is a federal legal holiday.
In this year’s proclamation, Bush
specifically expressed thanks for the armed forces, state
and local law enforcement personnel and first responders
who work to keep the country safe. He also praised the determined
example set by victims of natural disasters, who are rebuilding
their lives, and the many Americans who are helping them.
For additional information on this American
holiday, see Thanksgiving
Day.
The text of the proclamation follows:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Busan, Republic of Korea)
November 19, 2005
THANKSGIVING DAY, 2005
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Thanksgiving Day is a time to remember our
many blessings and to celebrate the opportunities that freedom
affords. Explorers and settlers arriving in this land often
gave thanks for the extraordinary plenty they found. And
today, we remain grateful to live in a country of liberty
and abundance. We give thanks for the love of family and
friends, and we ask God to continue to watch over America.
This Thanksgiving, we pray and express thanks
for the men and women who work to keep America safe and
secure. Members of our Armed Forces, State and local law
enforcement, and first responders embody our Nation's highest
ideals of courage and devotion to duty. Our country is grateful
for their service and for the support and sacrifice of their
families. We ask God's special blessings on those who have
lost loved ones in the line of duty.
We also remember those affected by the destruction
of natural disasters. Their tremendous determination to
recover their lives exemplifies the American spirit, and
we are grateful for those across our Nation who answered
the cries of their neighbors in need and provided them with
food, shelter, and a helping hand. We ask for continued
strength and perseverance as we work to rebuild these communities
and return hope to our citizens.
We give thanks to live in a country where
freedom reigns, justice prevails, and hope prospers. We
recognize that America is a better place when we answer
the universal call to love a neighbor and help those in
need. May God bless and guide the United States of America
as we move forward.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President
of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2005,
as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans
to gather together in their homes and places of worship
with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties
that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings
we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this eighteenth day of November, in the year of
our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
(end text)
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