Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 71 / Thursday, April 12, 2012 / Presidential Documents 22181 

Proclamation 8798 of April 9, 2012 

Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 2012 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

In April of 1890, delegates from countries throughout the Americas gathered 

in Washington, D.C., united in the belief that cooperation would lead to 

a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous hemisphere. Demonstrating remarkable foresight and a commitment to progress, they came together to forge 

a community of nations that would one day become the Organization of 

American States—a body dedicated to the pursuit of democracy and economic 

opportunity for all our people. During Pan American Day and Pan American 

Week, we celebrate this legacy of international partnership and renew the 

bonds of friendship and shared responsibility that join us in common purpose. 

The United States is proud to be part of the inter-American community. 

From the shores of Canada to the cliffs of Cape Horn, our hopes are bound 

together—to create greater social and economic opportunity for all, to ensure 

safety for our citizens, to build strong and accountable democratic institutions, to secure a clean energy future. Our Nation remains committed to 

working together with partners across our hemisphere to achieve these goals. 

Last October, I was proud to sign legislation to implement Free Trade 

Agreements with Panama and Colombia that will support American jobs, 

open new markets to our exports, and spur growth here at home and throughout the region. These Agreements strengthen our partnerships, and they 

reflect our commitment to supporting democracy and economic opportunity 

throughout the Americas. We are also working to fuel education and innovation across our hemisphere. One year ago, we announced the 100,000 Strong 

in the Americas initiative to encourage more of our students to study abroad 

in Latin America and more Latin American students to study here in the 

United States, fostering lifelong connections between our nations that will 

be keys to progress. And as we move forward, we continue to support 

strong democracies and democratic institutions that promote transparency 

in government, respect the rule of law, ensure a robust civil society, respect 

human rights, and deliver public services in effective and equitable ways. 

This week, we gather in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Sixth Summit of 

the Americas. As 34 Heads of State and Government come together to 

chart a path toward tomorrow’s horizons, let us recall that though we are 

stewards of unique and varied histories, our nations are partners in progress. 

During Pan American Day and Pan American Week, we celebrate our shared 

heritage, reflect on the gains we have made, and recommit to advancing 

the common prosperity and security of all our people. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 14, 2012, 

as Pan American Day and April 8 through April 14, 2012, as Pan American 

Week. I urge the governors of the 50 States, the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the officials of the other areas under the flag 

of the United States of America to honor these observances with appropriate 

ceremonies and activities. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PREDOCD1

22182 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 71 / Thursday, April 12, 2012 / Presidential Documents 

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

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

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

[FR Doc. 2012–9018 

Filed 4–11–12; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F2–P 


mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PREDOCD1OB#1.EPS</GPH>