[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Pages 1582-1583]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8211--Wright Brothers Day, 2007

 December 11, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    The cause of discovery and exploration is a desire written in the 
human heart. On Wright Brothers Day, we remember the achievement of two 
young brothers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina whose persistence, 
skill, ingenuity, and daring revolutionized the world.
    Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first manned, powered flight on 
December 17, 1903. Orville experienced the thrill of flight when he felt 
the first lift of the wing of the small wood and canvas aircraft that 
would travel 120 feet in 12 seconds. The brothers' passion and spirit of 
discovery helped define our Nation and paved the way for future 
generations of innovators to launch satellites, orbit the Earth, and 
travel to the Moon and back.
    Our country is continuing the Wright brothers' great American 
journey. My Administration is committed to advancing space science, 
human space flight, and space exploration. We will continue to work to 
expand the horizons of human knowledge to ensure

[[Page 1583]]

that America is at the forefront of discovery for decades to come.
    The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as 
amended (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, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2007, as Wright Brothers Day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of 
December, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:58 a.m., December 13, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on December 12, and it was published in the Federal Register 
on December 14.