[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9657 of October 6, 2017

Leif Erikson Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

More than a thousand years ago, explorer Leif Erikson--son of Iceland
and grandson of Norway--sailed with his crew to Newfoundland, Nova
Scotia, and perhaps even as far west as Maine. These intrepid explorers
were likely the first Europeans to reach our great home, North America.
On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate their remarkable journey and the brave
Viking culture that lies at the core of the New World's passion for
discovery and determination to tackle unimaginable challenges.
Throughout our country's history, Nordic Americans have made notable
contributions to our society. From the everyday to the extraordinary,
Nordic accomplishments have touched every aspect of our lives. We owe
our hamburgers to Danish-American Louis Lassen, and the famed St. Louis
Arch to Finnish-American Eero Saarinen. Norwegian-American and
cartoonist Charles M. Schulz brought us the Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and
the rest of the iconic Peanuts comic strip, and Finnish-American John
Morton signed the Declaration of Independence.
Today, we take pride in our strong relationship with the Nordic
countries. In 2016, we exported $11 billion in goods to the Nordics, and
our trading partnerships in the region are only growing stronger. The
Nordics are also staunch allies in the war on terrorism and are valued
members of the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria. We share in their sorrow from suffering caused by terrorists in
places like Turku, Stockholm, and Oslo. We stand together with the
Nordic people in solidarity against the threat of terrorism. As we
strive for peace, prosperity, and security, we will work to ensure that
our relationship with the Nordic countries continues to reflect the
indomitable spirit of Leif Erikson.
To honor Leif Erikson and celebrate our 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 9 of each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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, 2017, as
Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to celebrate the
achievements and contributions of Nordic Americans to our Nation with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP