[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 41 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Pages 1441-1442]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7482--Columbus Day, 2001

October 8, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    More than 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on 
his historic voyage to what would be called the ``New World.'' His 
celebrated journey inaugurated an age of exploration that changed the 
course of history and enormously expanded our understanding of the 
world. Columbus' willingness to brave the unknown led to his remarkable 
find, bringing about further explorations that enormously enhanced the 
intellectual, commercial, and demographic fabric of Europe and the 
Americas. The stories of Columbus' voyage became a symbol of the quest 
for knowledge and understanding of the world, and it laid the historical 
foundation upon which much of America's future progress was built.
    Reflecting on Christopher Columbus' legacy, we remember his great 
courage in choosing to sail across uncharted waters, we recall the power 
of his adventurous spirit, and we are inspired by his willingness to 
assume considerable risks for the sake of knowledge and progress. These 
virtues have been echoed down through history by some of America's 
greatest pioneers, from Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's daring 
explorations of our western frontier to the Apollo astronauts planting 
the American flag on the moon. Our Nation continues to follow the 
example of Columbus' bold desire to push the horizon, pursuing new paths 
of research and using our discoveries to benefit all of mankind.
    Columbus' voyage represented the first linking of the lands and 
cultures separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and it served as a precursor 
to the close ties that exist today between America and Europe. His 
discovery connected continents separated by substantial geographic, 
religious, and cultural barriers; and America has since formed 
partnerships with nations across the seas that have sought to overcome 
those and other barriers through agreements affecting such areas as 
trade, human rights, and military support.
    In commemoration of Columbus' momentous journey 509 years ago, the 
Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an 
Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has requested that the President 
proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as ``Columbus Day.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim October 8, 2001, as Columbus Day. I urge the 
people of the United States to reflect on the contributions of 
Christopher Columbus with appropriate means of celebration. 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 eighth 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, 8:54 a.m., October 10, 
2001]

[[Page 1442]]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
11.