THE WHITE HOUSE
- Office of the Press Secretary - November 23, 2004
Proclamation by the President:
Thanksgiving Day, 2004
All across America, we gather this week
with the people we love to give thanks to God for the blessings
in our lives. We are grateful for our freedom, grateful for our
families and friends, and grateful for the many gifts of America.
On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and
life itself, come from the Almighty God.
Almost four centuries ago, the Pilgrims celebrated
a harvest feast to thank God after suffering through a brutal winter.
President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of
Thanksgiving in 1789, and President Lincoln revived the tradition
during the Civil War, asking Americans to give thanks with "one
heart and one voice." Since then, in times of war and in times
of peace, Americans have gathered with family and friends and given
thanks to God for our blessings.
Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings
with those who are less fortunate. Americans this week will gather
food and clothing for neighbors in need. Many young people will
give part of their holiday to volunteer at homeless shelters and
food pantries. On Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength
of America lies in the hearts and souls of the American people.
By seeking out those who are hurting and by lending a hand, Americans
touch the lives of their fellow citizens and help make our Nation
and the world a better place.
This Thanksgiving, we express our gratitude to
our dedicated firefighters and police officers who help keep our
homeland safe. We are grateful to the homeland security and intelligence
personnel who spend long hours on faithful watch. And we give thanks
for the Americans in our Armed Forces who are serving around the
world to secure our country and advance the cause of freedom. These
brave men and women make our entire Nation proud, and we thank them
and their families for their sacrifice.
On this Thanksgiving Day, we thank God for His
blessings and ask Him to continue to guide and watch over our Nation.
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 Thursday, November 25, 2004, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.
I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and
places of worship to reinforce the ties of family and community
and to express gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand
four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and twenty-ninth.