[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 41 (Monday, October 17, 1994)]
[Page 1984]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6737--Columbus Day, 1994

October 7, 1994

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    At a time when experienced sailors navigated only within sight of 
shore whenever possible, Christopher Columbus conceived of a route no 
other had and sailed boldly into the open seas. Columbus' example 
reminds us that we must be willing, even eager, to leave the comfortable 
but often limiting shores of yesterday and journey toward the difficult 
and unmet challenges of tomorrow.
    Exploring the frontiers of the new world, Columbus set the stage for 
the encounter between Europeans and Native Americans, an encounter whose 
impact continues to be felt today. It is particularly important to 
recognize anew the sacrifices and hardships suffered by both sides as a 
result of this meeting and to salute the rich cultural heritage each 
group has bestowed upon its descendants. Through time and tears, 
exchanges between these two cultures have led to greater understanding 
and rich opportunities for harmony and healing.
    This year, as we celebrate the founding of a new world that is 
finally learning the infinite value of diversity, we continue to take an 
important lesson from Columbus' travels. In his great spirit of 
adventure and discovery, I encourage all Americans today to let the 
quartering winds of change propel us into the 21st century. Facing the 
future with courage and openness, as Columbus did in his day, we must 
strive to meet the challenges of the future with logic and foresight and 
with the certainty of moving ever forward.
    In tribute to the many achievements of Christopher Columbus, the 
Congress of the United States, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934 (48 
Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has requested 
the President to proclaim the second Monday in October of each year as 
``Columbus Day.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim October 10, 1994, as Columbus Day. 
I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of 
the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed 
day in honor of Christopher Columbus.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
nineteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 5:08 p.m., October 11, 
1994]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
13. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.