Proclamation 3126—Pan American Day and Pan America Week, 1956

Whereas the sixty-sixth anniversary of the founding of the Pan American Union, nucleus of the inter-American system of mutual cooperation and good will, now known as the Organization of American States, will be observed by the twenty-one American Republics on Saturday, April 14, 1956; and

Whereas the observances commemorating this auspicious event in the history of the Western Hemisphere will be held throughout the week of April 8 to April 14, 1956; and

Whereas the American Republics stand together in furthering the maintenance of peace and the defense of freedom through the Organization of American States, which they have built together and together uphold; and

Whereas the Government and the people of the United States of America are steadfast in adhering to the friendship uniting them with the other American Republics:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Saturday, April 14, 1956, as Pan American Day, and the period from April 8 through April 14, 1956, as Pan American Week; and I urge that the people of this Nation on that day and throughout that week give expression to their cordial good will toward the peoples of the other American Republics and of their intention to maintain the principles of freedom and equality fundamental to all.

I also invite the Governors of the States, Territories, and possessions of the United States of America and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to issue similar proclamations; and I call upon all our citizens and all interested organizations to join in appropriate observance of Pan American Day and Pan American Week, in testimony of the steadfast friendship which unites the people of the United States with the people of the other American Republics.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eightieth.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

By the President:

HERBERT HOOVER, Jr.,

Acting Secretary of State