[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 3843-3844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1369]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 3843]]


                Proclamation 8474 of January 15, 2010

                
Religious Freedom Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Long before our Nation's independence, weary settlers 
                sought refuge on our shores to escape religious 
                persecution on other continents. Recognizing their 
                strife and toil, it was the genius of America's 
                forefathers to protect our freedom of religion, 
                including the freedom to practice none at all. Many 
                faiths are now practiced in our Nation's houses of 
                worship, and that diversity is built upon a rich 
                tradition of religious tolerance. On this day, we 
                commemorate an early realization of our Nation's 
                founding ideals: Virginia's 1786 Statute for Religious 
                Freedom.

                The Virginia Statute was more than a law. It was a 
                statement of principle, declaring freedom of religion 
                as the natural right of all humanity--not a privilege 
                for any government to give or take away. Penned by 
                Thomas Jefferson and championed in the Virginia 
                legislature by James Madison, it barred compulsory 
                support of any church and ensured the freedom of all 
                people to profess their faith openly, without fear of 
                persecution. Five years later, the First Amendment of 
                our Bill of Rights followed the Virginia Statute's 
                model, stating, ``Congress shall make no law respecting 
                an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free 
                exercise thereof . . .''.

                Our Nation's enduring commitment to the universal human 
                right of religious freedom extends beyond our borders 
                as we advocate for all who are denied the ability to 
                choose and live their faith. My Administration will 
                continue to oppose growing trends in many parts of the 
                world to restrict religious expression.

                Faith can bring us closer to one another, and our 
                freedom to practice our faith and follow our conscience 
                is central to our ability to live in harmony. On 
                Religious Freedom Day, let us pledge our constant 
                support to all who struggle against religious 
                oppression and rededicate ourselves to fostering peace 
                with those whose beliefs differ from our own. In doing 
                so, we reaffirm our common humanity and respect for all 
                people with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

                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, 2010, as 
                Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to 
                commemorate this day with events and activities that 
                teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's 
                liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future 
                generations here and around the world.

[[Page 3844]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-1369
Filed 1-21-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P