[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20419-20420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2058]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 24, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20419]]


                Proclamation 8128 of April 19, 2007

                
Dutch-American Friendship Day, 2007

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Dutch-American Friendship Day, we celebrate our 
                longtime friendship with the Kingdom of the Netherlands 
                and honor the many Dutch Americans who have made 
                significant contributions to our country.

                Our close partnership with the Netherlands dates back 
                to the founding of our Nation, and it remains among our 
                oldest continuous relationships. Many of the Pilgrims 
                first sailed for the New World from a Dutch port, and 
                when a small American warship approached the island of 
                St. Eustatius in 1776, the Dutch port there gave the 
                American flag its first friendly gun salute. A few 
                years later, the Netherlands became one of the first 
                nations to recognize the independence of the United 
                States of America. The United States and the 
                Netherlands are continuing that tradition of close 
                cooperation in the 21st century, working together to 
                bring hope and liberty to places where it has long been 
                denied.

                Dutch Americans have enriched the American experience 
                and have helped write our history, strengthen our 
                character, and shape our society. Today, we pay tribute 
                to our allies in the Netherlands and recognize the 
                proud citizens of Dutch ancestry who call America home.

                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 April 19, 2007, as Dutch-
                American Friendship Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                celebrate our country's Dutch heritage and the many 
                ways Dutch Americans have strengthened our Nation.

[[Page 20420]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-first. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 07-2058
Filed 4-23-07; 9:29 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P