[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9187--OCT. 3, 2014

Proclamation 9187 of October 3, 2014

German-American Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America is and always has been a Nation of immigrants, and from our
earliest days, German Americans have contributed to our national
identity. Germans were among the first settlers in the original 13
Colonies, bringing their talents and ideas across the ocean to a new and
unfamiliar world. And today, with their descendants and all who followed
in their path, we continue to perfect our Union together. On German-
American Day, we recognize their distinctive identity and the ways they
enrich our country.
German Americans helped build our Nation, and every day they contribute
to its growth. As they teach in our schools, farm in our heartland, and
serve in our Armed Forces, their German roots offer a sense of their
place in the American story. From a land of poets and thinkers, they
brought passion for music, science, and art, fortifying our culture and
broadening our understanding of the world. Our greatest cities and our
biggest advances reflect their daring spirit and diverse contributions.
As we consider our German-American history, we are also reminded that
the United States and Germany are vital partners. With the 25th
anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall approaching, our security and
prosperity remain interwoven, and our friendship continues as we work
together in pursuit of a more peaceful, stable world. On this occasion,
may citizens from both sides of the Atlantic draw strength from the
legacy of our Nation's earliest immigrants who boldly pushed forward in
unforgiving times. May our shared past continue to inspire us as we face
new challenges in our own time.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 6, 2014, as
German-American Day. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the
history of German Americans and reflect on the many contributions they
have made to our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA