[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 3749
 
PROCLAMATION 8466--DEC. 16, 2009

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.
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.
BARACK OBAMA