[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 3 (Monday, January 19, 2004)]
[Pages 86-87]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7753--Religious Freedom Day, 2004

 January 16, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America is a land of many faiths, and the right to religious freedom 
is a foundation of our Nation. On Religious Freedom Day, Americans 
acknowledge the centrality of their faith and reaffirm that the great 
strength of our country is the heart and soul of our citizens.
    Religious Freedom Day celebrates the passage of the Virginia Statute 
for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. Thomas Jefferson, drafter of 
the legislation, considered it one of his three greatest 
accomplishments, along with writing the Declaration of Independence and 
founding the University of Virginia. Recognizing the importance of faith 
to our people, our Founding Fathers guaranteed religious freedom in the 
Constitution.
    Protecting our religious freedom requires the vigilance of the 
American people and of government at all levels. Within my 
Administration, the Department of Justice is acting to protect religious 
freedom, including prosecuting those who attack people or places of 
worship because of religious affiliation. The Department of Education 
has issued new guidelines that allow students to engage in 
constitutionally protected religious activity in public schools. These 
guidelines protect, for example, students' rights to say a prayer before 
meals in the cafeteria, to gather with other students before school to 
pray, and to engage in other expressions of personal faith.
    Through my Faith-Based and Community Initiative, my Administration 
continues to encourage the essential work of faith-based and community 
organizations. Governments can and should support effective social 
services, including those provided by religious people and 
organizations. When government gives that support, it is important that 
faith-based institutions not be forced to change their religious 
character. In December 2002, I signed an Executive Order to end 
discrimination against faith-based organizations in the Federal grants 
process. In September 2003, in implementing this order, my 
Administration eliminated many of the barriers that have kept faith-
based charities from partnering with the Federal Government to help 
Americans in need. Six Federal agencies have proposed or finalized new 
regulations to ensure that no organization or beneficiary will be 
discriminated against in a Federally funded social service program on 
the basis of religion.
     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, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2004,

[[Page 87]]

as Religious Freedom Day. I urge all Americans to reflect on the 
blessings of our religious freedom and to observe this day through 
appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of 
worship.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day 
of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:57 a.m., January 20, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
January 21.