Presidential Documents

3133 

Federal Register 

Vol. 80, No. 13 

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9227 of January 15, 2015 

Religious Freedom Day, 2015 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

From many faiths and diverse beliefs, Americans are united by the ideals 

we cherish. Our shared values define who we are as a people and what 

we stand for as a Nation. With abiding resolve, generations of patriots 

have fought—through great conflict and fierce debate—to secure and defend 

these freedoms, irrevocably weaving them deep into the fabric of our society. 

Today, we celebrate an early milestone in the long history of one of our 

country’s fundamental liberties. 

On January 16, 1786, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was adopted. 

It was one of the first laws in our Nation to codify the right of every 

person to profess their opinions in matters of faith, and it declares that 

‘‘no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any’’ religion. Drafted 

by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James 

Madison, this historic legislation served as a model for the religious liberty 

protections enshrined in our Constitution. 

The First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing religion. 

It protects the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, 

to change their faith, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free 

from persecution and fear. This religious freedom allows faith to flourish, 

and our Union is stronger because a vast array of religious communities 

coexist peacefully with mutual respect for one another. Since the age of 

Jefferson and Madison, brave women and men of faith have challenged 

our conscience; today, our Nation continues to be shaped by people of 

every religion and of no religion, bringing us closer to our founding ideals. 

As heirs to this proud legacy of liberty, we must remain vigilant in our 

efforts to safeguard these freedoms. 

We must also continue our work to protect religious freedom around the 

globe. Throughout the world, millions of individuals are subjected to discrimination, abuse, and sanctioned violence simply for exercising their religion or choosing not to claim a faith. Communities are being driven from 

their ancient homelands because of who they are or how they pray, and 

in conflict zones, mass displacement has become all too common. 

In the face of these challenges, I am proud the United States continues 

to stand up for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in peace. 

Promoting religious freedom has always been a key objective of my Administration’s foreign policy because history shows that nations that uphold the 

rights of their people—including the freedom of religion—are ultimately 

more just, more peaceful, and more successful. In every country, individuals 

should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion 

of the mind—and of the heart and soul. Today, let us continue our work 

to protect this tradition and advance the cause of religious freedom worldwide. 

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 January 16, 2015, 

as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this 

day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation 


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3134 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 13 / Wednesday, January 21, 2015 / Presidential Documents 

of our Nation’s liberty, and that show us how we can protect it for future 

generations at home and around the world. 

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

of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. 

[FR Doc. 2015–01112 

Filed 1–20–15; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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