[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 41 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Pages 1450-1451]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7484--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001

 October 10, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

      I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to 
      live and die for it.

      --General Casimir Pulaski in a letter to
        General George Washington

    Every year, on October 11, we honor the memory of Brigadier General 
Casimir Pulaski, a courageous soldier of liberty who bravely gave his 
life 222 years ago fighting for America's independence. The stories of 
General Pulaski's heroism during the Revolutionary War have been a 
source of inspiration for many generations of Americans, and his

[[Page 1451]]

gallant sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the price patriots 
paid to obtain our liberty.
    Pulaski, who was born in Poland in 1745, joined his first fight 
against tyranny and oppression at age 21, defending his beloved Poland 
against Prussian and Imperial Russian invaders. In numerous battles, 
Pulaski achieved fame as a calvary officer, earning promotion to 
commander of an army of Polish freedom fighters. But the aggressors 
ultimately overcame the Poles, and Pulaski was forced into exile. In 
1777, Pulaski offered his services to America's fight for freedom and 
set sail from France to join the war for independence.
    Far from his native land, Pulaski showed the same courageous 
combativeness on American soil that had gained him fame at home. 
Distinguishing himself in battle after battle, Pulaski earned a 
commission from the Continental Congress as a Brigadier General, and he 
was assigned by General Washington to command the Continental Army's 
calvary. In 1779, during the siege of Savannah, General Pulaski made the 
ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in battle so that our Nation might 
win its freedom. General Pulaski's valiant leadership earned him 
recognition as the ``Father of the American cavalry''.
    Ever since his heroic death, America has honored General Pulaski's 
memory in many ways, including the naming of counties, towns, and 
streets after him. Since 1910, a statue of General Pulaski has stood in 
Washington, D.C., permanently memorializing his patriotic contributions 
and noble sacrifice. Today, as we respond to the atrocities committed 
against the United States on September 11, we have been deeply moved by 
the tremendous outpouring of sympathy, support, and solidarity from our 
Polish friends, from the highest levels of the government to the 
thousands of Poles who placed flowers and candles at our Embassy gate. 
Our two nations, united by the virtues and ideals that General Pulaski 
embodied, will always remain friends and allies.
    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 Thursday, October 11, 
2001, as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to 
commemorate this occasion with appropriate programs and activities 
paying tribute to Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who defend the 
freedom of our great Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth 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, 8:57 a.m., October 11, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
12.