[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 9, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62867-62868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25899]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 9, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62867]]


                Proclamation 7604 of October 4, 2002

                
German-American Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As the oldest and longest-lived democracy in the world, 
                our Nation is committed to promoting freedom, 
                protecting liberty, and pursuing peace. For over 225 
                years, America has been a place where people have come 
                to realize their dreams and enjoy the blessings of 
                religious tolerance and individual rights.

                In 1683, 13 immigrant families left Germany to escape 
                religious persecution and establish the first German 
                settlement in North America in Germantown, 
                Pennsylvania. Since that time, more than 7 million 
                German immigrants have come to America, and through 
                hard work, innovation, and dedication, they have 
                influenced our Nation and strengthened our country. 
                Each year, we celebrate German-American Day, which 
                offers us the chance to reflect on the proud and 
                important contributions that German Americans have made 
                to the United States.

                Carl Schurz, who emigrated from the Rhineland, served 
                as a United States Senator and Secretary of the 
                Interior. He said that German immigrants ``could render 
                no greater honor to their former fatherland than by 
                becoming conscientious and faithful citizens of their 
                new country.'' As farmers, businessmen, scientists, 
                artists, teachers, and politicians, German Americans 
                have contributed to the values that make our Nation 
                strong. Through his artistic abilities as a cartoonist 
                and caricaturist during and following the Civil War, 
                Thomas Nast established himself as a political voice 
                for the underprivileged and champion of equal rights 
                for all citizens.

                The important work of Joseph Pulitzer helped to create 
                the American legacy of freedom of the press and to 
                advance the field of journalism. Oscar Hammerstein is 
                known as an integral figure in the history of the 
                United States opera for building his second Manhattan 
                Opera House in addition to several other theaters. This 
                tradition of excellence continued with the musical 
                talents of his grandson, Oscar Hammerstein II, as he 
                elevated the American musical comedy to musical theater 
                that Americans enjoy today. The efforts of German-
                American entrepreneurs Levi Strauss, the creator of 
                blue jeans, and Walter Percy Chrysler, the first 
                president of Chrysler Corporation in 1925, reflect the 
                entrepreneurial spirit of our country. Today, German 
                Americans continue to serve this Nation with 
                distinction in our Armed Forces, in our communities, 
                and throughout all sectors of our society.

                On this day, we recognize the important and continuing 
                relationship between Germany and the United States. Our 
                friendship was forged after World War II and is based 
                on mutual support and respect. Germany showed 
                meaningful support for the United States after the 
                September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On this day, I 
                am pleased to call all Americans to celebrate the 
                contributions that German Americans have made to our 
                Nation.

                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, 2002, as

[[Page 62868]]

                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.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-25899
Filed 10-8-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P