[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 41 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Pages 1428-1429]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7481--German-American Day, 2001

October 5, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Each year, on October 6, we recognize German Americans for their 
many contributions to our Nation. From the first German immigrants who 
accompanied Captain John Smith to Jamestown more than 300 years ago to 
the more than 7 million Germans who have since followed them to our 
shores, Americans of German descent have played a vital role in 
establishing the strength of our country's democratic spirit. Throughout 
our history, German Americans have contributed to every facet of the 
American experience.
    German-American soldiers valiantly served our country during the 
American Revolution. General Frederick Wilhelm von Steuben helped train 
the Continental Army at Valley Forge; and General Nicholas Herkimer led 
German settlers in New York's Mohawk Valley in one of the war's 
bloodiest battles. German Americans also have influenced greatly our 
artistic heritage. Emanuel Leutze's 1851 painting, ``Washington Crossing 
the Delaware River,'' remains a cherished and recognized symbol of 
American courage and determination.
    German Americans advanced our civic liberties through their strong 
support for freedom of the press. As publisher of the New York Weekly 
Journal, John Peter Zenger championed the rights of citizens to 
criticize elected officials in print. The German-language newspaper 
Pennsylvania Staatsbote published the first printed copy of the 
Declaration of Independence. And in directing The New York Times through 
modernization in the early 20th century, Adolph Ochs helped set a new 
standard for balanced and innovative reporting.
    Many German Americans who settled here brought with them values that 
enhanced and developed the American commitment to

[[Page 1429]]

freedom. A considerable number of these immigrants joined other freedom 
loving Americans in becoming leaders in the anti-slavery movement. And 
thousands of German Americans volunteered to fight for the Union in the 
Civil War.
    On this day, Americans of all backgrounds commemorate our Nation's 
close relationship with Germany. German Americans have influenced our 
history, strengthened our ideals, and enriched our culture, and, in the 
years ahead, they will continue their noble role in helping to ensure 
the vitality of our democracy.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2001, as 
German-American Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the 
contributions of our citizens of German descent to the liberty and 
prosperity of the United States, 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 two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:11 p.m., October 9, 
2001]

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