[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 22, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67967-67968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30548]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 22, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 67967]]

                Proclamation 8466 of December 16, 2009

                
Wright Brothers Day, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For 12 seconds on December 17, 1903, a wooden aircraft 
                took to the skies above Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 
                lifting two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, to their place 
                in history. Their singular triumph triggered a 
                revolution in transportation that would bridge the vast 
                distances between continents and forever alter our 
                world. Today, we honor the enduring American spirit of 
                creativity and innovation that made the Wright 
                Brothers' maiden flight possible.

                Self-taught and financed by the proceeds of their 
                bicycle shop, the Wright Brothers' success embodies our 
                Nation's proud tradition of entrepreneurship. In 
                pursuit of the ageless dream of controlled flight, they 
                persevered through great challenges. Early design 
                failures, a skeptical public, and the sheer danger of 
                their endeavors often tempted the brothers to quit, but 
                they forged ahead with firm resolve and bold 
                experimentation to complete their ascent to greatness.

                In these challenging times, the story of Orville and 
                Wilbur Wright reminds us of what can be accomplished 
                when imagination is joined with tenacity. Their spirit 
                lives on in every garage and basement workshop where 
                American innovators still tinker, invent, and discover. 
                The next Wright Brothers are among us today, working 
                tirelessly toward a breakthrough that will spark a new 
                industry and improve countless lives.

                We must do all we can to support our Nation's 
                entrepreneurs. As we work toward a bright future 
                powered by cutting-edge ideas and new technologies, we 
                celebrate this day by looking back to the Wright 
                Brothers, whose achievements affirm the limitless 
                potential of American ingenuity.

                The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 
                17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 
                17, 2009, as Wright Brothers Day.

[[Page 67968]]

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

[FR Doc. E9-30548
Filed 12-21-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P