For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 24, 2001
United Nations Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On June 26, 1945, representatives from 50 countries signed the
charter creating the United Nations (U.N.), which inaugurated a new era
of unprecedented international cooperation. The world had
then just emerged victorious against the threat of global tyranny, and
these representatives resolved to preserve peace through international
cooperation and collective security. Officially coming into
existence on October 24, 1945, the U.N. became the central
organi-zation charged with carrying out this mission. Since then, it
has worked to maintain world peace and security, to develop friendly
relations among nations, to cooperate in solving international
problems, and to promote respect for human rights.
Today, 189 countries belong to the United Nations. The
organization's mission remains as urgent as ever, particularly as our
world confronts new challenges in the 21st century. The
recent terrorist attacks on the United States not only threatened
Americans, they also threatened civilized people everywhere who believe
in freedom and peace. These tragic events remind us all of
the vitally important unified efforts necessary to building
international security and to guaranteeing a more peaceful world for us
and for our children.
Americans are a generous and compassionate people, willing to do
all we can to help alleviate poverty and suffering around the
world. These efforts include close cooperative ventures with
the United Nations organizations through its many humanitarian
programs. As our country observes United Nations Day, 2001,
we pause to reflect on the noble history of the U.N. and to praise its
many contributions toward providing a better quality of life for people
around the globe. We also celebrate the U.N.'s commitment to
promoting human rights, protecting the environment, fighting disease,
fostering development, and reducing poverty. By reaffirming
our desire to advance these goals, America looks forward to continued
progress in addressing the challenges that face humanity and to
achieving a brighter future for the world.
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 October 24, 2001, as
United Nations Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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