[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2004)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 69503-69504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26443]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 228 / Monday, November 29, 2004 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 69503]]


                Proclamation 7849 of November 23, 2004

                
Thanksgiving Day, 2004

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                All across America, we gather this week with the people 
                we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our 
                lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for 
                our families and friends, and grateful for the many 
                gifts of America. On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge 
                that all of these things, and life itself, come from 
                the Almighty God.

                Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated a 
                harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a 
                brutal winter. President George Washington proclaimed 
                the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and 
                President Lincoln revived the tradition during the 
                Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with ``one 
                heart and one voice.'' Since then, in times of war and 
                in times of peace, Americans have gathered with family 
                and friends and given thanks to God for our blessings.

                Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with 
                those who are less fortunate. Americans this week will 
                gather food and clothing for neighbors in need. Many 
                young people will give part of their holiday to 
                volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries. On 
                Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of 
                America lies in the hearts and souls of the American 
                people. By seeking out those who are hurting and by 
                lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their 
                fellow citizens and help make our Nation and the world 
                a better place.

                This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to our 
                dedicated firefighters and police officers who help 
                keep our homeland safe. We are grateful to the homeland 
                security and intelligence personnel who spend long 
                hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks for the 
                Americans in our Armed Forces who are serving around 
                the world to secure our country and advance the cause 
                of freedom. These brave men and women make our entire 
                Nation proud, and we thank them and their families for 
                their sacrifice.

                On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His 
                blessings and ask Him to continue to guide and watch 
                over our Nation.

                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 25, 2004, 
                as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all 
                Americans to gather together in their homes and places 
                of worship to reinforce the ties of family and 
                community and to express gratitude for the many 
                blessings we enjoy.

[[Page 69504]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
                ninth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 04-26443
Filed 11-26-04; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P