[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              IN OBSERVANCE OF DUTCH AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, 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, which is a colony of the 
Netherlands. Only four months before, the United States had declared 
its independence from Great Britain. The American crew was delighted 
when the island's governor, Johannes DeGraaf, ordered that his fort's 
cannons be fired in a friendly salute. As this was first-ever military 
salute 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. DeGraaf'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 our 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 17th century, when the Dutch West Indies 
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; Pella, Iowa; Lyden, Washington; and Bellflower, California--
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. At least three presidents, Martin VanBuren, 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 out nation's Founders as they shaped our 
Constitution.
  In celebraton 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 more than 8 
million Americans of Dutch descent and the 16 million people of the 
Netherlands in celebration of this joyous occasion.

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