For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 22, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, 2001
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
Nearly 200 years ago, on March 4, 1801, our young Nation
celebrated an
important milestone in its history, the first transfer of power between
political parties, as Thomas Jefferson took the oath of office as
President. On this bicentennial of that event, we pause to
remember and
give thanks to Almighty God for our unbroken heritage of democracy, the
peaceful transition of power, and the perseverance of our Government
through the challenges of war and peace, want and prosperity, discord
and
harmony.
President Jefferson also wrote, "The God who gave us
life gave us
liberty at the same time" and asked, "Can the liberties of a nation be
secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are of
God?"
Indeed, it is appropriate to mark this occasion by remembering the
words of
President Jefferson and the examples of Americans of the past and today
who
in times of both joy and need turn to Almighty God in prayer.
Times of
plenty, like times of crisis, are tests of American character.
Today, I
seek God's guidance and His blessings on our land and all our people.
Knowing that I cannot succeed in this task without the favor of God and
the
prayers of the people, I ask all Americans to join with me in prayer
and
thanksgiving.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of
America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of
the
United States, do hereby proclaim January 21, 2001, a National Day of
Prayer and Thanksgiving and call upon the citizens of our Nation to
gather
together in homes and places of worship to pray alone and together and
offer thanksgiving to God for all the blessings of this great and good
land. On this day, I call upon Americans to recall all that
unites us.
Let us become a nation rich not only in material wealth but in ideals
--
rich in justice and compassion and family love and moral courage.
I ask
Americans to bow our heads in humility before our Heavenly Father, a
God
who calls us not to judge our neighbors, but to love them, to ask His
guidance upon our Nation and its leaders in every level of government.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and
of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-fifth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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