[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2022)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61953-61954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22407]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2022 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 61953]]


                Proclamation 10471 of October 7, 2022

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2022

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over 1,000 years ago, Leif Erikson, son of Iceland and 
                grandson of Norway, embarked on a historic journey 
                across the Atlantic, landing on the shores of North 
                America. Widely believed to be the first Europeans to 
                set foot on this continent, he and his crew embodied 
                traits that would come to define a uniquely American 
                spirit--restless and bold, brave and optimistic, and in 
                search of a better future. This same spirit would guide 
                generations of Danes, Finns, Icelanders, Norwegians, 
                and Swedes to immigrate and build new lives in the 
                United States. It would lead countless families to 
                plant roots in the Great Lakes States, the northern 
                Great Plains, and enclaves across the Nation. It 
                remains ingrained in the hearts of roughly 11 million 
                Americans who trace their ancestry to Nordic countries 
                today.

                On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate Nordic-Americans and 
                all the ways they strengthen the fabric of our Nation. 
                They are leaders in business and philanthropy, 
                educators and scholars, artists and inventors, doctors 
                and nurses, first responders, service members, and so 
                much more. In every field and throughout every 
                community, their contributions help bring us closer to 
                making the promise of America real for every American.

                On this day, we also reaffirm our strong partnerships 
                with Nordic nations and their people. Our mutual 
                commitments to greater peace, security, and stability 
                serve as the bedrock of our democracies and the 
                friendships between our countries. From supporting 
                Ukraine as it defends its freedom against Russia's 
                invasion to advancing human rights, tackling the 
                climate crisis to addressing food insecurity, and 
                strengthening global health to promoting development, 
                we will always work together to tackle the world's most 
                pressing challenges. I am proud that the United States 
                Senate took swift action to ratify Sweden and Finland's 
                accession protocols to join the North Atlantic Treaty 
                Organization. These great democracies and highly 
                capable partners will further fortify the most powerful 
                defensive alliance in the history of the world and 
                bolster our efforts to defend democracy and freedom 
                everywhere.

                To honor Leif Erikson and to celebrate Nordic-American 
                heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 
                88-566) approved on September 2, 1964, has authorized 
                the President of the United States to proclaim October 
                9th of each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 9, 
                2022, as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to 
                celebrate the contributions of Nordic Americans to our 
                Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

[[Page 61954]]

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

[FR Doc. 2022-22407
Filed 10-12-22; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P