[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7605]

Proc. 7605

Proclamation 7605 of October 8, 2002

Leif Erikson Day, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          More than 1,000 years ago, Leif Erikson and his crew journeyed 
          across the Atlantic seeking unknown lands. Their pioneering 
          spirit of courage, deter

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          mination, and discovery helped to open the world to new 
          exploration and unprecedented development. Each October, we 
          join our friends in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and 
          Finland in honoring this historic voyage and in celebrating 
          the strong transatlantic bonds that exist between those 
          countries and the United States.
          Our Nation is committed to promoting prosperity and stability 
          throughout Northern Europe. Through the Northern Europe 
          Initiative, we have partnered with other nations in the region 
          to enhance security and economic growth in the Baltic region. 
          This Initiative addresses concrete needs in six areas: the 
          environment; public health; law enforcement and rule-of-law; 
          civil society; energy; and trade. Our Nation also supports the 
          European Union's ``Northern Dimension'' strategy, which aims 
          to strengthen the integration of Northwest Russia and the 
          accession countries to the European Union. These important 
          efforts, along with the bilateral programs of all Nordic 
          countries, are helping to build a brighter future for the 
          entire region.
          As we defend ourselves against terrorism, we are grateful for 
          the support of our coalition partners around the world, 
          including our Nordic friends and allies. The goodwill 
          demonstrated by the people of this region has reinforced our 
          close ties and strengthened our resolve to overcome the evil 
          that is before us. As we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, we 
          recommit ourselves to a world of innovation, prosperity, and 
          opportunity.
          To honor Leif Erikson, the brave son of Iceland and grandson 
          of Norway, and to recognize our Nation's 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, 2002, 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 eighth 
          day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and 
          of the Independence of the United States of America the two 
          hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH