[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52015-52016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25884]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 198 / Friday, October 12, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 52015]]

                Proclamation 7483 of October 9, 2001

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Leif Erikson Day, we join our friends in Denmark, 
                Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to celebrate and 
                pay homage to our shared ideals and commemorate the 
                contributions of Nordic Americans to our culture. We 
                honor the explorers who led the first Viking 
                explorations at the beginning of the last millennium, 
                and we pay tribute to the many Nordic pioneers who 
                helped to explore and settle America's 19th Century 
                frontiers. The Nordic and American peoples share the 
                virtues of courage, resourcefulness, and self-reliance, 
                and they have built nations based on the principles of 
                liberty, justice, and equality.

                Leif Erikson and his men braved the unknown and risked 
                their lives to become the first Europeans to set foot 
                on North American soil. As we reflect upon Erikson's 
                groundbreaking achievements and marvel at the adversity 
                and dangers he and his explorers endured, we are 
                thankful for their great endeavor and recognize that 
                achieving difficult goals requires people who are 
                courageous and willing to sacrifice, who take action 
                and take risks.

                Today, American researchers and entreprenuers, 
                including many of Nordic descent, are making landmark 
                discoveries in the fields of genetics, information 
                technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy. 
                Through our Northern European Initiative and the 
                ``Northern Dimension'' program that Scandinavian 
                countries have sponsored, we are deepening our 
                cooperation and connections with the Baltic region, 
                building regional links in Northwest Russia, and 
                renewing historic trade relationships. And, we are 
                working closely with our Nordic Allies in NATO by 
                helping to provide for the region's common defense and 
                stability. These and other efforts to improve the world 
                mark the citizens of theUnited States as a people 
                possessing virtues that echo those of Leif Erikson and 
                the first Vikings who landed on our northern shores.

                To honor Leif Erikson, the brave son of Iceland and 
                grandson of Norway, and our Nordic American heritage, 
                the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-66) 
                approved on September 2, 1964, has authorized and 
                requested the President to proclaim October 9 of each 
                year as Leif Erikson Day.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 
                2001, as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to 
                observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, 
                activities, and programs to honor our rich Nordic-
                American heritage.

[[Page 52016]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth 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. 01-25884
Filed 10-11-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P