[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 51 (Monday, December 25, 2006)] [Page 2174] [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov] <R04> Message on the Observance of Kwanzaa 2006 December 8, 2006 I send greetings to those observing Kwanzaa. During the seven days of Kwanzaa leading up to the New Year, friends and family come together in a spirit of love and joy to honor their rich African heritage, reflect on the Seven Principles, and give thanks for the blessings of freedom and opportunity. Forty years after the first Kwanzaa, this hopeful occasion remains an opportunity to build the bonds of family, community, and culture and move ever closer to the founding promise of liberty and justice for all. Our Nation is a better place because of the contributions African Americans have made to our strength and character over the generations. As you gather to celebrate your ancestry this Kwanzaa, I encourage you to take pride in your many achievements and look to the future with confidence in your abilities and faith in a brighter tomorrow. Laura and I send our best wishes for a joyous Kwanzaa and a blessed New Year. George W. Bush Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 18. An original was not available for verification of the content of this message.