[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8266--MAY 30, 2008

Proclamation 8266 of May 30, 2008
Italian Independence Day, 2008
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On Italian Independence Day, we recognize our friendship with the nation
of Italy, and we celebrate the generations of Italian Americans who have
made significant contributions to our national character.
June 2, 1946, marks the birth of the Italian Republic, the long-awaited
triumph of liberty and democracy in an ancient land. Today, Italy is a
friend of the United States and an ally of freedom and peace. Italians
and Americans join together on Italian Independence Day to commemorate
Italy's independence and celebrate its rich history.
The people of our two countries share special ties rooted in history,
friendship, and family. Millions of American citizens have Italian
ancestry, and they and their forebears have helped shape our way of
life. Americans are grateful for the many contributions Italians and
Italian Americans have made to our history and our culture, and we are
proud that our nations are allies in the cause of peace and security
around the world.
In celebrating Italian Independence Day, we commemorate the freedoms our
countries hold dear, and we honor the generations of Italian Americans
who came to our shores seeking opportunity. They have helped to shape
our great Nation and influenced American life for the better.
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 June 2, 2008, as Italian
Independence Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day by
celebrating the contributions of Italians and Italian Americans to our
Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the




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Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
GEORGE W. BUSH