[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DUTCH AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

 Mr. KYL. Mr. President, on November 17, 1776 a small American 
warship, the Andrew Doria, sailed into the harbor of the island of 
Saint Eustatius in the West Indies. Only 4 months before, the United 
States had declared its independence from Great Britain. The American 
crew was delighted when the Governor of the island, Johannes de Graaf, 
ordered that his fort's cannons be fired in a friendly salute. The 
first ever given by a foreign power to the flag of the United States, 
it was a risky and courageous act. The British seized the island a few 
years later. De Graff's welcoming salute was a sign of respect, and 
today it continues to symbolize the deep ties of friendship that exist 
between the United States and the Netherlands.
  After more than 200 years, the bonds between the United States and 
the Netherlands remain strong. Our diplomatic ties, in fact, constitute 
one of the longest unbroken diplomatic relationships with any foreign 
country.
  Fifty years ago, during the second world war, American and Dutch men 
and women fought side by side to defend the cause of freedom and 
democracy. As NATO allies, we have continued to stand together to keep 
the transatlantic partnership strong and to maintain the peace and 
security of Europe. In the Persian Gulf we joined as coalition partners 
to repel aggression and to uphold the rule of law.
  While the ties between the United States and the Netherlands have 
been tested by time and by the crucible of armed conflict, Dutch 
American Heritage is even older than our official relationship. It 
dates back to the early seventeenth century, when the Dutch West India 
Company founded New Netherland and its main settlements, New Amsterdam 
and Fort Orange--today known as New York City and Albany.
  From the earliest days of our Republic, men and women of Dutch 
ancestry have made important contributions to American history and 
culture. The influence of our Dutch ancestors can still be seen not 
only in New York's Hudson River Valley but also in communities like 
Holland, Michigan and Pella, Iowa where many people trace their roots 
to settlers from the Netherlands.
  Generations of Dutch immigrants have enriched the United States with 
the unique customs and traditions of their ancestral homeland--a 
country that has given the world great artists and celebrated 
philosophers.
  On this occasion, we also remember many celebrated American leaders 
of Dutch descent. Three presidents, Martin Van Buren, Theodore 
Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, came from Dutch stock.
  Our Dutch heritage is seen not only in our people but also in our 
experience as a Nation. Our traditions of religious freedom and 
tolerance, for example, have spiritual and legal roots among such early 
settlers as the English Pilgrims and the French Huguenots, who first 
found refuge from persecution in Holland. The Dutch Republic was among 
those systems of government that inspired our Nation's Founders as they 
shaped our Constitution.
  In celebration of the long-standing friendship that exists between 
the United States and the Netherlands, and in recognition of the many 
contributions that Dutch Americans have made to our country, we observe 
Dutch American Heritage Day on November 16.
  I salute the over eight million Dutch Americans and the sixteen 
million people of the Netherlands in the celebration of this joyous 
occasion.

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