[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51810-51811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25676]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 51810]]


                Proclamation 7481 of October 5, 2001

                
German-American Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, on October 6, we recognize German Americans 
                for their many contributions to our Nation. From the 
                first German immigrants who accompanied Captain John 
                Smith to Jamestown more than 300 years ago to the more 
                than 7 million Germans who have since followed them to 
                our shores, Americans of German descent have played a 
                vital role in establishing the strength of our 
                country's democratic spirit. Throughout our history, 
                German Americans have contributed to every facet of the 
                American experience.

                German-American soldiers valiantly served our country 
                during the American Revolution. General Frederick 
                Wilhelm von Steuben helped train the Continental Army 
                at Valley Forge; and General Nicholas Herkimer led 
                German settlers in New York's Mohawk Valley in one of 
                the war's bloodiest battles. German Americans also have 
                influenced greatly our artistic heritage. Emanuel 
                Leutze's 1851 painting, ``Washington Crossing the 
                Delaware River,'' remains a cherished and recognized 
                symbol of American courage and determination.

                German Americans advanced our civic liberties through 
                their strong support for freedom of the press. As 
                publisher of the New York Weekly Journal, John Peter 
                Zenger championed the rights of citizens to criticize 
                elected officials in print. The German-language 
                newspaper Pennsylvania Staatsbote published the first 
                printed copy of the Declaration of Independence. And in 
                directing The New York Times through modernization in 
                the early 20th century, Adolph Ochs helped set a new 
                standard for balanced and innovative reporting.

                Many German Americans who settled here brought with 
                them values that enhanced and developed the American 
                commitment to freedom. A considerable number of these 
                immigrants joined other freedom loving Americans in 
                becoming leaders in the anti-slavery movement. And 
                thousands of German Americans volunteered to fight for 
                the Union in the Civil War.

                On this day, Americans of all backgrounds commemorate 
                our Nation's close relationship with Germany. German 
                Americans have influenced our history, strengthened our 
                ideals, and enriched our culture, and, in the years 
                ahead, they will continue their noble role in helping 
                to ensure the vitality of our democracy.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2001, as German-
                American Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize 
                the contributions of our citizens of German descent to 
                the liberty and prosperity of the United States, and to 
                celebrate our close ties to the people of Germany.

[[Page 51811]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-25676
Filed 10-9-01; 12:11 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P