Proclamations Proc. 8000 The people of the Western Hemisphere are united by history, geography, and shared ideals. We will continue our important work to build a region that lives in liberty and grows in prosperity. 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 April 14, 2006, as Pan Amer- ican Day and April 9 through April 15, 2006, as Pan American Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puer- to Rico, and the officials of other areas under the flag of the United States of America to honor these observances with appropriate ceremonies and ac- tivities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclamation 8000 of April 7, 2006 National D.A.R.E. Day, 2006 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation On National D.A.R.E. Day, we honor the dedicated police officers and all those involved in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program and underscore our commitment to helping young people say no to drugs and violence. By promoting positive youth development, D.A.R.E. programs across our country are helping our children make the right choices and build lives of purpose. Since 1983, D.A.R.E. has taught young people how to recognize and resist the pressure to be involved in drugs, gangs, and violent activities. The D.A.R.E. program brings police officers into the classroom to answer tough questions about drugs and crime, teaches students how to avoid tempta- tion, and encourages communication between young people and law en- forcement. This program strengthens our communities and provides our children with a strong foundation for success. My Administration remains committed to helping our young people over- come the dangers of violence and the use of illegal substances. The Helping America's Youth initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, encourages local partnerships that empower families, schools, and communities to help young people reach their full potential. We are also strengthening youth drug prevention efforts on the State and local levels with the Strategic Pre- vention Framework and the Drug Free Communities program. These initia- tives tailor prevention strategies to local needs and give community organi- zations the power to identify challenges and take actions to overcome them. In 2005, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and the Partner- ship for a Drug-Free America launched Above the Influence, an advertising 37
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