[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 41 (Monday, October 14, 1996)]
[Page 2019]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Proclamation 6934--Leif Erikson Day, 1996

October 9, 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.
    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.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 11, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
October 15.