[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 2002)]
[Pages 1701-1702]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7604--German-American Day, 2002

 October 4, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    As the oldest and longest-lived democracy in the world, our Nation 
is committed to promoting freedom, protecting liberty, and pursuing 
peace. For over 225 years, America has been a place where people have 
come to realize their dreams and enjoy the blessings of religious 
tolerance and individual rights.
    In 1683, 13 immigrant families left Germany to escape religious 
persecution and establish the first German settlement in North America 
in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Since that time, more than 7 million German 
immigrants have come to America, and through hard work, innovation, and 
dedication, they have influenced our Nation and strengthened our 
country. Each year, we celebrate German-American Day, which offers us 
the chance to reflect on the proud and important contributions that 
German Americans have made to the United States.
    Carl Schurz, who emigrated from the Rhineland, served as a United 
States Senator and Secretary of the Interior. He said that German 
immigrants ``could render no greater honor to their former fatherland 
than by becoming conscientious and faithful citizens of their new 
country.'' As farmers, businessmen, scientists, artists, teachers, and 
politicians, German Americans have contributed to the values that make 
our Nation strong. Through his artistic abilities as a cartoonist and 
caricaturist during and following the Civil War, Thomas Nast established 
himself as a political voice for the underprivileged and champion of 
equal rights for all citizens.
    The important work of Joseph Pulitzer helped to create the American 
legacy of freedom of the press and to advance the field of journalism. 
Oscar Hammerstein is known as an integral figure in the history of the 
United States opera for building his second Manhattan Opera House in 
addition to several other theaters. This tradition of excellence 
continued with the musical talents of his grandson, Oscar Hammerstein 
II, as he elevated the American musical comedy to musical theater that 
Americans enjoy today. The efforts of German-American entrepreneurs Levi 
Strauss, the creator of blue jeans, and Walter Percy Chrysler, the first 
president of Chrysler Corporation in 1925, reflect the entrepreneurial 
spirit of our country. Today, German Americans continue to serve this 
Nation with distinction in our Armed Forces, in our communities, and 
throughout all sectors of our society.
    On this day, we recognize the important and continuing relationship 
between Germany and the United States. Our friendship was forged after 
World War II and is based on mutual support and respect. Germany showed 
meaningful support for the United States after the September 11, 2001, 
terrorist attacks. On this day, I am pleased to call all Americans to 
celebrate the contributions that German Americans have made to our 
Nation.
     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, 2002, 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 fourth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 8, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 5, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
October 9.

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