[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60577-60578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26395]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60577]]


                Proclamation 7357 of October 6, 2000

                
Columbus Day, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During this first year of the new century, the American 
                people have devoted time and thought to the people and 
                events of our Nation's past so that we might better 
                prepare for the challenges of the future. While 
                Christopher Columbus' epic voyage took place almost 
                three centuries before the founding of our democracy, 
                his journey helped shape our national experience and 
                offers important lessons as we chart our own course for 
                the 21st century.

                One of the most valuable of those lessons is the 
                importance of sustaining our spirit of adventure, our 
                willingness to explore new concepts and new horizons. 
                Columbus, after careful study and planning, rejected 
                the conventional thinking of his time, sailed for the 
                open seas, and succeeded in opening up a New World for 
                the people of Europe. Like Columbus, our founders 
                rejected the familiar paths of the past and ventured 
                boldly to create a new form of government that has 
                profoundly shaped world history. Explorers, pioneers, 
                inventors, artists, entrepreneurs--all have found a 
                refuge in America and a chance to achieve their dreams.

                Today we have other worlds to explore--from the deepest 
                oceans to the outermost reaches of space to the genetic 
                code of human life. The same adventurous spirit that 
                propelled Columbus' explorations will enable us to 
                challenge old assumptions, acquire new knowledge, and 
                broaden the horizons of humankind.

                Columbus' story illustrates the importance of 
                diversity. Columbus was born and raised in Italy; he 
                learned much of his seafaring knowledge and experience 
                from Portuguese sailors and navigators; and he put 
                those skills in service to the King and Queen of Spain, 
                who funded his explorations. By establishing a safe, 
                reliable route between Europe and the New World, 
                Columbus opened the door for subsequent explorers from 
                Spain, France, and England and for the millions of 
                immigrants who would be welcomed by America in later 
                centuries. But the encounters between Columbus and 
                other European explorers and the native peoples of the 
                Western Hemisphere also underscore what can happen when 
                cultures clash and when we are unable to understand and 
                respect people who are different from us.

                While more than 500 years have passed since Christopher 
                Columbus first sailed to these shores, the lessons of 
                his voyage are still with us. Brave, determined, open 
                to new ideas and new experiences, in many ways he 
                foreshadowed the character of the American people who 
                honor him today.

                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 9, 
                2000, 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 60578]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-26395
Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P