[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 15, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53591-53592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26529]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 15, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 53591]]

                Proclamation 6934 of October 9, 1996

                
Leif Erikson Day, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Leif Erikson Day commemorates the life and the voyages 
                of the great Nordic explorer who first set foot on the 
                fertile soil of North America about one thousand years 
                ago. On this day, we also celebrate the close bonds of 
                friendship between the people of the United States and 
                the Nordic peoples, as well as the outstanding 
                contributions that Nordic Americans have made to our 
                country.

                We have good cause to mark this day. The pioneering 
                spirit that Leif Erikson and his followers demonstrated 
                embodies the virtues of independence, self-
                determination, and initiative that are firmly rooted in 
                our national consciousness today. As a vital 
                transatlantic bridge between the continents of America 
                and Europe, the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, 
                Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have repeatedly shown a 
                bedrock commitment to the democratic values that 
                contributed greatly to the formation of our own 
                national ideals.

                Just as our forebears persevered through what sometimes 
                seemed insurmountable odds to transform adversity into 
                prosperity, we have continued to champion the cause of 
                liberty and to reach out without reservation or 
                hesitation to our neighbors and those in need around 
                the world. The same heritage that enabled our ancestors 
                to brave wars and uncharted frontiers--because they 
                were convinced that they were working to create a 
                better world--also emboldens us today in our 
                cooperative effort to integrate the Baltic states of 
                Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the Western 
                community of nations.

                Our immigrant ancestors survived unthinkable hardships 
                to achieve economic, religious, and political freedom. 
                Their dreams were big, but so was their willingness to 
                work for them. The link they forged across the oceans 
                is sustained today by a common commitment to freedom 
                and the rule of law--ideals that have strong roots in 
                the civic and legal traditions of Nordic countries 
                dating back at least to medieval times.

                In honor of Leif Erikson--son of Iceland, grandson of 
                Norway--the Congress, by joint resolution approved on 
                September 2, 1964 (Public Law 88-566), has authorized 
                and requested the President to designate October 9 of 
                each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 
                1996, as Leif Erikson Day. I encourage the people of 
                the United States to observe this occasion with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating our 
                rich Nordic-American heritage.

[[Page 53592]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
                first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-26529
Filed 10-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P