[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 40 (Monday, October 10, 2005)]
[Pages 1510-1511]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7940--German-American Day, 2005

 October 6, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    German Americans have played an important role in establishing 
America as a land where liberty is protected for all of its citizens. 
Each year on German-American Day, we celebrate the contributions the 
millions of Americans of German descent have made to our great Nation.
    Among the early German immigrants, many saw America as a beacon of 
religious freedom and an opportunity for an improved standard of living. 
German immigrants helped pioneer the first American colony at Jamestown. 
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg served as the first Speaker of the House 
of Representatives; in this role, he certified the final version of the 
Bill of Rights.
    Throughout our country's history, men and women of German descent 
have worn the uniform of the United States military to defend our 
country's freedom. Among these were Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in 
Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II, and 
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who went on to become one of America's 
Presidents of German ancestry. Today, German-American troops continue to 
serve proudly in our Nation's Armed Forces.
    German Americans have enriched many other aspects of American life. 
Albert Einstein's advancements in the field of physics help define our 
understanding of the universe. Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known 
as Dr. Seuss, has captivated the imaginations of children for 
generations with his timeless classics. Baseball great Lou Gehrig's 
courage on and off the field continues to inspire the American spirit 
more than 60 years after his death.
    On German-American Day, we also honor the important friendship 
between the United States and Germany. Our nations share beliefs in 
human rights and dignity, and on this day, I join all Americans in 
celebrating the bonds that tie our two nations and in reaffirming the 
importance of our continuing friendship.
     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, 2005, as 
German-American Day. I encourage all Americans to celebrate the many 
contributions German Americans have made to our Nation's liberty and 
prosperity.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of 
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:28 a.m., October 7, 
2005]

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

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