[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55619-55620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27000]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 198 / Thursday, October 14, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 55619]]


                Proclamation 7239 of October 8, 1999

                
Columbus Day, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Although Christopher Columbus' first voyage to the New 
                World took place more than 500 years ago, the momentous 
                changes it brought about still resonate today. His 
                journey triggered a historic encounter between Europe 
                and the native peoples of the New World; helped open 
                new continents to exploration, trade, and development; 
                established a reliable route to the Americas; and was a 
                major milestone in the inexorable trend toward 
                expansion and globalization.

                Columbus could not have imagined the full impact of his 
                arrival in 1492 or how his journey would shape human 
                history. The zeal for trade that motivated the Spanish 
                crown to fund Columbus' voyages still exists today as 
                we work to strengthen our commercial ties with other 
                nations and to compete in an increasingly global 
                economy. Columbus' own passion for adventure survives 
                as an integral part of our national character and 
                heritage, reflected in our explorations of the oceans' 
                depths and the outer reaches of our solar system. A son 
                of Italy, Columbus opened the door to the New World for 
                millions of people from across the globe who have 
                followed their dreams to America. Today, Americans of 
                Italian and Spanish descent can take special pride, not 
                only in Columbus' historic achievements, but also in 
                their own immeasurable contributions to our national 
                life. From business to the arts, from government to 
                academia, they have played an important part in 
                advancing the peace and prosperity our country enjoys 
                today.

                We are about to embark on our own journey into a new 
                millennium of unknown challenges and possibilities. As 
                we ponder that future, Columbus' courage and daring 
                still capture the American imagination, inspiring us to 
                look to the horizon, as he did, and see, not a daunting 
                boundary, but a new world full of opportunity.

                In tribute to Columbus' many achievements, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934 (48 
                Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), 
                has requested the President to proclaim the second 
                Monday in October of each year as ``Columbus Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 
                11, 1999, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of 
                the United States to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag 
                of the United States be displayed on all public 
                buildings on the appointed day in honor of Christopher 
                Columbus.

[[Page 55620]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-27000
Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P