[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 74463-74464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31593]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 23, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 74463]]


                Proclamation 7745 of December 17, 2003

                
Wright Brothers Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                A spirit of exploration and discovery has been a part 
                of the American character since our founding days. 
                Orville and Wilbur Wright exemplified this spirit when 
                they made the dream of human flight a reality on 
                December 17, 1903. On Wright Brothers Day, we honor the 
                vision of these bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, 
                and celebrate the centennial of manned, powered flight.

                One hundred years ago, the Wright brothers changed our 
                world with their 12-second, 120-foot flight in North 
                Carolina. Their achievement inspired other aviation 
                pioneers and marked the beginning of a new era of 
                freedom. Since that first flight, aviation and 
                aerospace technology has advanced at a remarkable pace, 
                allowing us to fly across oceans, break the sound 
                barrier, orbit the Earth, land on the moon, and study 
                our universe in a way our ancestors could not have 
                imagined. Each new generation of engineers and other 
                inventors, following in the Wright Brothers' footsteps, 
                continues to move the technology of flight further.

                Today, air transportation touches the lives of people 
                throughout the United States, and helps unite the 
                American people. Air transportation brings families and 
                friends together, delivers aid to those in need, and 
                facilitates industry and commerce.

                As we look to the future, we remember the extraordinary 
                accomplishments of the Wright Brothers. Their 
                determination and innovation continue to inspire us as 
                we embark on the second century of flight.

                The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 
                17, 1963 (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143) as amended, has 
                designated December 17 of each year as ``Wright 
                Brothers Day'' and has authorized and requested the 
                President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the 
                people of the United States to observe that day with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                17, 2003, as Wright Brothers Day.

[[Page 74464]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-31593
Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P