[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 22 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Pages 775-776]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8266--Italian Independence Day, 2008

 May 30, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Italian Independence Day, we recognize our friendship with the 
nation of Italy, and we celebrate the generations of Italian Americans 
who have made significant contributions to our national character.
    June 2, 1946, marks the birth of the Italian Republic, the long-
awaited triumph of liberty and democracy in an ancient land. Today, 
Italy is a friend of the United States and an ally of freedom and peace. 
Italians and Americans join together on Italian Independence Day to 
commemorate Italy's independence and celebrate its rich history.
    The people of our two countries share special ties rooted in 
history, friendship, and family. Millions of American citizens have 
Italian ancestry, and they and their forebears have helped shape our way 
of life. Americans are grateful for the many contributions Italians and 
Italian Americans have made to our history and our culture, and we are 
proud that our nations are allies in the cause of peace and security 
around the world.
    In celebrating Italian Independence Day, we commemorate the freedoms 
our countries hold dear, and we honor the generations of Italian 
Americans who came to our shores seeking opportunity. They have helped 
to shape our great Nation and influenced American life for the better.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by

[[Page 776]]

the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 
2, 2008, as Italian Independence Day. I call upon all Americans to 
observe this day by celebrating the contributions of Italians and 
Italian Americans to our Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, 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, 8:59 a.m., June 3, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on June 2, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
June 4.