PROCLAMATION BY ERNIE FLETCHER
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, Getting along in a world of interconnected cultures and countries is of paramount importance and benefit to the well-being and safety of us all; and

WHEREAS, A prime builder for understanding and respecting one another is learning about each others' ways, beliefs, languages, and systems of government, as well as meeting each other face-to-face; and

WHEREAS, The 1990 Kentucky Educational Reform Act (KERA) stipulates that Kentucky students be taught in the areas of cultural diversity, political systems, geography, historical perspectives, economics, and arts and humanities in order that they may recognize the similarities among many different cultures, develop an open mind to alternative ways of thinking, and prepare themselves for the variety of experiences they will encounter later in life; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, the General Assembly adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 142, urging the Kentucky Board of Education to encourage Kentucky educators and students to participate in international study and other activities that promote cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and respect for citizens of other countries, and imploring the Commissioner of Education to establish an international advisory committee to identify international opportunities for learning; and

WHEREAS, Since the year 2000, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State have declared "International Education Week" to be observed and celebrated annually the week prior to Thanksgiving, and have encouraged the participation of all individuals and institutions interested in international education and exchange activities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERNIE FLETCHER, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim November 14-18, 2005, as INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK in Kentucky, and urge all citizens and organizations to take part in activities this week and thereafter that will celebrate cultural differences, and thereby increase understanding, respect, and goodwill for all peoples of our world.

DONE AT THE CAPITOL, in the city of Frankfort this 25th day of October, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five and in the 214th year of the Commonwealth.

GOVERNOR ERNIE FLETCHER

TREY GRAYSON, SECRETARY OF STATE

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