Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 72 / Monday, April 16, 2007 / Presidential Documents 19089 

Proclamation 8124 of April 11, 2007 

Thomas Jefferson Day, 2007 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On Thomas Jefferson Day, we commemorate the birthday of a monumental 

figure whose place in our Nation’s history will always be cherished. Thomas 

Jefferson was a scholar, statesman, author, architect, and patriot, and today 

we celebrate his many accomplishments and lasting legacy. 

Thomas Jefferson continues to capture our imagination because our country 

still echoes his ideals. In 1776, as a young lawyer from Virginia, he drafted 

the Declaration of Independence for the Continental Congress and articulated 

the American creed. From that document was born a Nation with a message 

of hope—that all men are created equal and meant to be free. The words 

Jefferson penned were a bold statement of revolutionary principles, and 

they have lifted the lives of millions in America and around the world. 

As the third President of the United States, Jefferson worked to realize 

the vision he held for our young democracy. He signed legislation in 1802 

that established the United States Military Academy at West Point, New 

York, and began the great tradition of service academies that have contributed 

immensely to the defense of our freedom. He believed in the possibility 

of westward expansion, doubling the size of our Nation with the Louisiana 

Purchase and encouraging the Lewis and Clark Expedition to help open 

the unknown West for future development. 

Thomas Jefferson served his fellow citizens in many other important roles, 

including Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to France. 

Yet, of his many accomplishments, Thomas Jefferson will always be remembered for his belief in liberty and in the ability of citizens to govern their 

own country and their own lives. As we celebrate his birthday, we are 

proud that the Nation he helped establish remains free, independent, and 

true to the ideals of our founding. Today, the United States of America 

is the world’s foremost champion of liberty, moving forward with confidence 

and strength, and an example to the world of what free people can achieve. 

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 of America, do hereby proclaim April 13, 

2007, as Thomas Jefferson Day. I encourage all citizens to join in celebrating 

the achievements of this extraordinary American, reflecting on his words, 

and learning more about his influence on our history and ideals. 


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19090 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 72 / Monday, April 16, 2007 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day 

of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first. 

[FR Doc. 07–1911 

Filed 4–13–07; 11:49 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P 


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