Federal Register: October 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 204)
DOCID: FR Doc E9-25765
Presidential Documents
Veterans Affairs Department
NOTICE: Part III
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
[Page 54893-54894]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23oc09-108]
Presidential Documents
[[Page 54893]]
Proclamation 8441 of October 19, 2009
United Nations Day, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The United Nations was created 64 years ago by men and
women from every corner of the world. These architects
of international cooperation acted out of an idealism
rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war. They had the
wisdom to understand that nations could do far more to
advance their interests by acting together than by
letting themselves be split apart. The original 51
member nations were united around a commitment to
peace, humanity, and justice.
Today, with 192 member states, the United Nations is
the principle forum for all nations, large and small,
to work in concert to meet the global challenges no
nation can confront alone. The U.N. is vital to
America's efforts to create a better, safer world.
Through peacekeeping missions that have saved so many
lives and averted so many wars; lifesaving humanitarian
work; critical development activities; and its unique
legitimacy, the U.N. can function as a forum that
brings all nations together.
The U.N. sometimes struggles to live up to its founding
ideals, as it can only be effective if its member
states choose to meet their own responsibilities. At
its best, this indispensible, if imperfect, institution
helps to resolve conflicts and rebuild shattered
societies; to lay the foundations of democracy, human
rights, and development; and to establish conditions in
which people can live in dignity and mutual respect.
The member states of the U.N. have an obligation to
demonstrate the will and leadership to match the
aspirations of all. Now is the time for all of us to
assume our share of responsibility to meet global
challenges.
Committed in our resolve to create a world our people
deserve, we look to the future with confidence. As
expressed in the founding values of the United Nations,
we share a common security and are unified by our
common humanity. This truth calls us to work
cooperatively with nations from around the globe in the
pursuit of peace, economic prosperity, and human
opportunity.
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 October 24, 2009, as
United Nations Day. I urge the Governors of the 50
States, and the officials of all other areas under the
flag of the United States to observe United Nations Day
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
[[Page 54894]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. E9-25765 Filed 10-22-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P