[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63527-63528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26242]



[[Page 63525]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7605--Leif Erikson Day, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 198 / Friday, October 11, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 7605 of October 8, 2002

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than 1,000 years ago, Leif Erikson and his crew 
                journeyed across the Atlantic seeking unknown lands. 
                Their pioneering spirit of courage, determination, and 
                discovery helped to open the world to new exploration 
                and unprecedented development. Each October, we join 
                our friends in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and 
                Finland in honoring this historic voyage and in 
                celebrating the strong transatlantic bonds that exist 
                between those countries and the United States.

                Our Nation is committed to promoting prosperity and 
                stability throughout Northern Europe. Through the 
                Northern Europe Initiative, we have partnered with 
                other nations in the region to enhance security and 
                economic growth in the Baltic region. This Initiative 
                addresses concrete needs in six areas: the environment; 
                public health; law enforcement and rule-of-law; civil 
                society; energy; and trade. Our Nation also supports 
                the European Union's ``Northern Dimension'' strategy, 
                which aims to strengthen the integration of Northwest 
                Russia and the accession countries to the European 
                Union. These important efforts, along with the 
                bilateral programs of all Nordic countries, are helping 
                to build a brighter future for the entire region.

                As we defend ourselves against terrorism, we are 
                grateful for the support of our coalition partners 
                around the world, including our Nordic friends and 
                allies. The goodwill demonstrated by the people of this 
                region has reinforced our close ties and strengthened 
                our resolve to overcome the evil that is before us. As 
                we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, we recommit ourselves to 
                a world of innovation, prosperity, and opportunity.

                To honor Leif Erikson, the brave son of Iceland and 
                grandson of Norway, and to recognize our Nation's 
                Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint 
                resolution (Public Law 88-566) 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, 
                2002, 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.

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                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth 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. 02-26242
Filed 10-10-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P