[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Page 1786]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Proclamation 7514--Wright Brothers Day, 2001

 December 13, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On December 17, 1903, from the dunes near Kitty Hawk, North 
Carolina, Orville Wright made the first manned flight in an engine-
powered aircraft. Though the flight only covered 120 feet and lasted 
just 12 seconds, Orville and his brother Wilbur Wright changed history 
on that cold and gusty winter day.
    Success had not come easily to the Wright brothers. Many thought 
powered flight impossible; and skeptics called the Wrights dreamers for 
even entertaining the idea. Undeterred, the Wrights spent years in 
study, analyzing the flight of birds and experimenting with model 
airplanes in their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. After many trials and 
errors, the Wright brothers finally achieved a controlled flight and 
opened the door to a new world.
    On December 17 of each year, we honor the Wright brothers for their 
contributions to our Nation. Their invention of powered flight made the 
world community more connected. We have since traveled to the Moon and 
back, and space shuttles orbit our planet. All of these amazing advances 
can be traced back to that windy day at Kitty Hawk when the indomitable 
will of the Wrights persevered to triumph over the supposed impossible.
    Air travel now is an essential part of this Nation's everyday life. 
This proud industry will endure through the new challenges presented by 
the tragedies of September 11. Joining together as a Nation, we will 
continue to strengthen security while maintaining the economic and 
social benefits of an efficient air transportation system.
    This Wright Brothers Day we salute all the scientific pioneers and 
visionaries who, despite the critics, have over come seemingly 
insurmountable odds and made great advances for man. The Wright 
brothers' perseverance and creativity can serve as an inspiration for 
those inventors who will take us to new heights in the 21st century.
    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, 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 December 17, 2001, as 
Wright Brothers Day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day 
of December, 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, 10:38 a.m., December 
14, 2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 17.