[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 2002)]
[Pages 1735-1736]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7605--Leif Erikson Day, 2002

 October 8, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    More than 1,000 years ago, Leif Erikson and his crew journeyed 
across the Atlantic seeking unknown lands. Their pioneering spirit of 
courage, determination, and discovery helped to open the world to new 
exploration and unprecedented development. Each October, we join our 
friends in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland in honoring 
this historic voyage and in celebrating the strong transatlantic bonds 
that exist between those countries and the United States.
    Our Nation is committed to promoting prosperity and stability 
throughout Northern Europe. Through the Northern Europe Initiative, we 
have partnered with other nations in the region to enhance security and 
economic growth in the Baltic region. This Initiative addresses concrete 
needs in six areas: the environment; public health; law enforcement and 
rule-of-law; civil society; energy; and trade. Our Nation also supports 
the European Union's ``Northern Dimension'' strategy, which aims to 
strengthen the integration of Northwest Russia and the accession 
countries to the European Union. These important efforts, along with the 
bilateral programs of all Nordic countries, are helping to build a 
brighter future for the entire region.
    As we defend ourselves against terrorism, we are grateful for the 
support of our coalition partners around the world, including our Nordic 
friends and allies. The goodwill demonstrated by the people of this 
region has reinforced our close ties and strengthened our resolve to 
overcome the evil that is before us. As we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, 
we recommit ourselves to a world of innovation, prosperity, and 
opportunity.
    To honor Leif Erikson, the brave son of Iceland and grandson of 
Norway, and to recognize our Nation's Nordic-American heritage, the 
Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-566) approved on September 
2, 1964, has authorized and requested the President to proclaim October 
9 of each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2002, as Leif Erikson Day. I 
call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, 
activities, and programs to honor our rich Nordic-American heritage.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth 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

[[Page 1736]]

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 10, 
2002]

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