[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 40 (Monday, October 11, 1999)]
[Pages 1931-1932]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7233--German-American Day, 1999

October 5, 1999

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Throughout America's history, we have drawn strength from the 
diversity of our people. Men and women from many different countries and 
cultures have arrived here, determined to forge a new life in a new 
land, and their talents have contributed to our national life. Germans 
were among the earliest ethnic groups to emigrate to America, arriving 
at William Penn's invitation more than 300 years ago. Whether motivated 
by the pursuit of religious liberty, intellectual freedom, or economic 
opportunity, the millions of Germans who have made their home in America 
have played an important part in advancing the peace and prosperity that 
our country enjoys today.
    The achievements of notable German Americans have enriched every 
aspect of our society. The leadership of statesmen such as President 
Eisenhower and Henry Kissinger helped guide our Nation securely through 
the difficult Cold War years. The military acumen of German Americans 
has benefited us--from the Revolutionary War, when Baron Friedrich von 
Steuben's training programs brought discipline and organization to the 
Continental Army, to the Gulf War, when General Norman Schwarzkopf 
helped lead our troops to victory over Saddam Hussein. Prominent authors 
H.L. Mencken and Theodore Dreiser have enlightened our literary 
tradition, while inventors George Westinghouse and Charles Steinmetz 
have fueled our technological advancement. The world of American sports 
has been energized by outstanding athletes of German descent, providing 
a showcase for the talents of such greats as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
    But by focusing on the achievements of prominent individuals, we 
risk understating the overall importance of the German heritage to our 
Nation's strength and development. Today, nearly one-quarter of all 
Americans can trace their ancestry to Germany, just as our English 
language finds its roots

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in the Germanic tongues of centuries past. German Americans honor the 
traditions of their lineage in the way they live, reflecting the sense 
of personal honor and strong work ethic passed down to them by their 
forebears.
    As Americans seek to become a more united people, we must not forget 
our roots, for they remind us of who we are and of what we have to share 
with others. German-American Day offers us an invaluable opportunity not 
only to honor the contributions of Germany Americans, but also to 
celebrate the close relationship that we enjoy today with our German 
friends across the Atlantic. Next month, we will join them in 
commemorating the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall--a 
symbolic triumph of democracy and self-determination. As we look back on 
half a century of joint accomplishments with Germany that reflect our 
shared respect for the rule of law, human rights, and social justice, we 
can look ahead to a new era of cooperation, whether working together to 
restore peace to the war-torn Balkans or assisting the former Eastern 
Bloc nations on their own road to democratization and economic recovery.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, 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 
Wednesday, October 6, 1999, as German-American Day. I encourage all 
Americans to applaud the important contributions made to our country by 
our millions of citizens of German descent and to celebrate our close 
ties to the people of Germany.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-fourth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 7, 
1999]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 6, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 8.