For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 9, 2001
Leif Erikson Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On Leif Erikson Day, we join our friends in Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway, and Sweden to celebrate and pay homage to our shared ideals and
commemorate the contributions of Nordic Americans to our culture. We honor
the explorers who led the first Viking explorations at the beginning of the
last millennium, and we pay tribute to the many Nordic pioneers who helped
to explore and settle America's 19th Century frontiers. The Nordic and
American peoples share the virtues of courage, resource-fulness, and
self-reliance, and they have built nations based on the principles of
liberty, justice, and equality.
Leif Erikson and his men braved the
unknown and risked their lives to become the first Europeans to set
foot on North American soil. As we reflect upon Erikson's
groundbreaking achievements and marvel at the adversity and dangers he
and his explorers endured, we are thankful for their great endeavor and
recognize that achieving difficult goals requires people who are
courageous and willing to sacrifice, who take action and take risks.
Today, American researchers and
entre-prenuers, including many of Nordic descent, are making landmark
discoveries in the fields of genetics, information technology,
biotechnology, and renewable energy. Through our Northern
European Initiative and the "Northern Dimension" program that
Scandinavian countries have sponsored, we are deepening our cooperation
and connections with the Baltic region, building regional links in
Northwest Russia, and renewing historic trade
relationships. And, we are working closely with our Nordic
Allies in NATO by helping to provide for the region 's common defense
and stability. These and other efforts to improve the world
mark the citizens of the United States as a people possessing virtues
that echo those of Leif Erikson and the first Vikings who landed on our
northern shores.
To honor Leif Erikson, the brave son of
Iceland and grandson of Norway, and our 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, 2001, 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 ninth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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