[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 15, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53591-53592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26529]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 15, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 53591]]
Proclamation 6934 of October 9, 1996
Leif Erikson Day, 1996
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Leif Erikson Day commemorates the life and the voyages
of the great Nordic explorer who first set foot on the
fertile soil of North America about one thousand years
ago. On this day, we also celebrate the close bonds of
friendship between the people of the United States and
the Nordic peoples, as well as the outstanding
contributions that Nordic Americans have made to our
country.
We have good cause to mark this day. The pioneering
spirit that Leif Erikson and his followers demonstrated
embodies the virtues of independence, self-
determination, and initiative that are firmly rooted in
our national consciousness today. As a vital
transatlantic bridge between the continents of America
and Europe, the Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have repeatedly shown a
bedrock commitment to the democratic values that
contributed greatly to the formation of our own
national ideals.
Just as our forebears persevered through what sometimes
seemed insurmountable odds to transform adversity into
prosperity, we have continued to champion the cause of
liberty and to reach out without reservation or
hesitation to our neighbors and those in need around
the world. The same heritage that enabled our ancestors
to brave wars and uncharted frontiers--because they
were convinced that they were working to create a
better world--also emboldens us today in our
cooperative effort to integrate the Baltic states of
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into the Western
community of nations.
Our immigrant ancestors survived unthinkable hardships
to achieve economic, religious, and political freedom.
Their dreams were big, but so was their willingness to
work for them. The link they forged across the oceans
is sustained today by a common commitment to freedom
and the rule of law--ideals that have strong roots in
the civic and legal traditions of Nordic countries
dating back at least to medieval times.
In honor of Leif Erikson--son of Iceland, grandson of
Norway--the Congress, by joint resolution approved on
September 2, 1964 (Public Law 88-566), has authorized
and requested the President to designate October 9 of
each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9,
1996, as Leif Erikson Day. I encourage the people of
the United States to observe this occasion with
appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating our
rich Nordic-American heritage.
[[Page 53592]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
first.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 96-26529
Filed 10-11-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
