[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52303-52304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25940]



[[Page 52301]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7484--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001
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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 52303]]

                Proclamation 7484 of October 10, 2001

                
General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

I came here, where freedom is being defended,

to serve it, and to live and die for it.

--General Casimir Pulaski in a letter to General George Washington

                Every year, on October 11, we honor the memory of 
                Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a courageous soldier 
                of liberty who bravely gave his life 222 years ago 
                fighting for America's independence. The stories of 
                General Pulaski's heroism during the Revolutionary War 
                have been a source of inspiration for many generations 
                of Americans, and his gallant sacrifice serves as a 
                poignant reminder of the price patriots paid to obtain 
                our liberty.

                Pulaski, who was born in Poland in 1745, joined his 
                first fight against tyranny and oppression at age 21, 
                defending his beloved Poland against Prussian and 
                Imperial Russian invaders. In numerous battles, Pulaski 
                achieved fame as a calvary officer, earning promotion 
                to commander of an army of Polish freedom fighters. But 
                the aggressors ultimately overcame the Poles, and 
                Pulaski was forced into exile. In 1777, Pulaski offered 
                his services to America's fight for freedom and set 
                sail from France to join the war for independence.

                Far from his native land, Pulaski showed the same 
                courageous combativeness on American soil that had 
                gained him fame at home. Distinguishing himself in 
                battle after battle, Pulaski earned a commission from 
                the Continental Congress as a Brigadier General, and he 
                was assigned by General Washington to command the 
                Continental Army's calvary. In 1779, during the siege 
                of Savannah, General Pulaski made the ultimate 
                sacrifice, giving his life in battle so that our Nation 
                might win its freedom. General Pulaski's valiant 
                leadership earned him recognition as the ``Father of 
                the American cavalry''.

                Ever since his heroic death, America has honored 
                General Pulaski's memory in many ways, including the 
                naming of counties, towns, and streets after him. Since 
                1910, a statue of General Pulaski has stood in 
                Washington, D.C., permanently memorializing his 
                patriotic contributions and noble sacrifice. Today, as 
                we respond to the atrocities committed against the 
                United States on September 11, we have been deeply 
                moved by the tremendous outpouring of sympathy, 
                support, and solidarity from our Polish friends, from 
                the highest levels of the government to the thousands 
                of Poles who placed flowers and candles at our Embassy 
                gate. Our two nations, united by the virtues and ideals 
                that General Pulaski embodied, will always remain 
                friends and allies.

                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 Thursday, October 11, 2001, 
                as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all 
                Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate 
                programs and activities paying tribute to Casimir 
                Pulaski and honoring all those who defend the freedom 
                of our great Nation.

[[Page 52304]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                tenth 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. 01-25940
Filed 10-11-01; 8:57 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P