Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 30, 2006 / Presidential Documents 51711 

Proclamation 8043 of August 25, 2006 

National Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina, 2006 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

One year ago, a vast coastline of towns and communities was virtually 

destroyed; one of America’s great cities was submerged; and many lives 

were lost in one of the worst natural disasters in our Nation’s history. 

On this National Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina, we honor 

those who did not survive the fury of the storm and those who continue 

to put their lives back together in its aftermath. We also remember the 

heroism of ordinary citizens who touched our hearts with their bravery 

and compassion and moved our whole Nation to action. 

Hurricane Katrina brought many days of struggle and sorrow; yet, we also 

witnessed extraordinary acts of courage and kindness. Rescue workers, other 

first responders, and concerned citizens from around the country risked 

their lives to save others and performed heroically under the most difficult 

of circumstances. Many were victims themselves, acting on a sense of duty 

greater than their own suffering. Men, women, and children across America 

rallied to help their neighbors in desperate need, providing food, water, 

shelter, and hope to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those days tested 

our Nation, and they revealed a resilience more powerful than any storm. 

Millions of lives were changed in a day by that cruel and destructive 

storm. America accepted the challenge to restore broken communities and 

disrupted lives not as a burden, but as our responsibility to help our fellow 

citizens. Victims and volunteers continue to demonstrate a spirit that cannot 

be broken—a core of strength that survives all hurt, a faith in God that 

no storm can take away, and an unyielding determination to clear the 

wreckage and build anew. 

In the past year, Federal, State, and local governments have worked to 

enhance our Nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. 

The Federal Government has conducted an extensive review of preparedness 

and response efforts, and actions are being taken at every level to improve 

communications and coordination and strengthen emergency response capabilities. The American people can know that our government is working 

hard to be prepared to protect life and property should we face another 

such challenge. 

In the life of our Nation, we have often been reminded that nature is 

an awesome force, and that all life is fragile. However, Americans have 

always summoned the will and compassion to persevere and rebuild. Guided 

by our enduring American spirit, we know that a bright new dawn will 

rise over the great city of New Orleans, and the entire Gulf Coast region 

will reemerge stronger and more vibrant than ever. 

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 August 29, 2006, as 

a National Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina. I call upon State 

and local governments, places of worship, and all Americans to mark this 

day with services and appropriate observances. I also encourage all Americans to remember and support the continued effort to rebuild our Nation’s 

great Gulf Coast. 


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51712 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 30, 2006 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth 

day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first. 

[FR Doc. 06–7374 

Filed 8–29–06; 9:10 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P 


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