[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov] PROCLAMATION 8301--OCT. 3, 2008 Proclamation 8301 of October 3, 2008 German-American Day, 2008 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For generations, German Americans have contributed to our Nation's identity, culture, and prosperity. On German-American Day, we recognize the many Americans with German ancestry who helped make our country great, and we celebrate our strong friendship with Germany. The people of Germany and the United States share important family and cultural ties, and millions of American citizens are of German descent. Some of their forebears were among the first to settle Jamestown, and they and many others like them helped lay the foundation for our country, which has become the most prominent symbol of freedom in the world. Many German Americans have shaped our way of life and added to our country's rich heritage.