[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 50 (Monday, December 18, 2000)]
[Page 3095]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Proclamation--Wright Brothers Day, 2000

 December 14, 2000

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright were poised on the brink of one 
of history's most remarkable advances. For years, the two brothers had 
been mesmerized by the principle of flight and had studied birds to 
understand how these fascinating creatures rose, fell, and darted 
through the air. The Wright Brothers' studies affirmed what they had 
long believed: that powered, controlled human flight was possible. After 
much research and experimentation and many trials and failures, the 
brothers tested their prototype biplane on the windy dunes of Kitty 
Hawk, North Carolina. On December 17, their efforts were rewarded and 
their dream realized when the Wright Flyer rose through the air, soaring 
for 12 seconds and traveling 120 feet.
    While it took humanity thousands of years to reach that pivotal 
moment, we have achieved stunning advances in aviation in the past 
century alone. Less than 25 years after the Wright Brothers' inaugural 
flight, Charles Lindbergh conquered the Atlantic Ocean flying nonstop 
aboard The Spirit of St. Louis; in less than 50 years, Chuck Yeager 
broke the sound barrier; and in less than 70 years, the United States 
reached the heavens and landed two men on the Moon. Today, we continue 
to explore the frontiers of space as the International Space Station 
orbits the Earth.
    The creative vision, ingenuity, and indomitable spirit that sparked 
the Wright Brothers' achievement still power our Nation's aviation 
accomplishments today. Air travel is a vital part of life in America, 
and people across the country depend on our air transportation system to 
link them with one another and to sustain our growing economy. Last year 
alone, U.S. airlines safely transported almost 700 million passengers on 
13 million flights.
    The gift of flight has immeasurably strengthened our Nation and 
enriched the lives of people around the world. It is only fitting that 
we should remember on December 17 the two visionary Americans whose 
scientific curiosity, independent thinking, and technical genius began a 
new era that has taken us to the threshold of space and beyond.The 
Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963 (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, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2000, as Wright 
Brothers Day.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: At the time of publication, this proclamation had not been 
received by the Office of the Federal Register for assignment of a 
proclamation number.