[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 52063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25548]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 13, 1994]




                        Presidential Documents 



                Proclamation 6735 of October 7, 1994

 

Leif Erikson Day, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Nearly a millennium has passed since Leif Erikson set 
                out on his voyage to explore North America, a land then 
                thought to be no more than an uncharted wilderness 
                across the waters. Filled with the same spirit of 
                discovery that characterized the travels of his father, 
                Eric the Red, who sailed from Norway to Iceland to 
                Greenland, the journey of Leif Erikson remains one of 
                history's greatest legends. To commemorate the life of 
                this bold adventurer and to recognize the generations 
                of Nordic Americans who have followed in his footsteps, 
                we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, 1994.

                Leaving behind the ice-covered mountains of Greenland, 
                Erikson helped to set the stage for centuries of trans-
                Atlantic exchange between his father's native Norway 
                and the people of the New World. Today, the United 
                States and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, 
                Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, enjoy cordial friendships 
                and are productive partners in fostering democracy and 
                expanding trade. Carrying forward the ideals of their 
                ancestors--ideals of liberty, human dignity, and self-
                determination--these nations stand with the United 
                States in representing the freedom to which individuals 
                around the world aspire.

                The sons and daughters of Scandinavia who immigrated to 
                this country in past centuries brought with them that 
                abiding passion for justice and equality, and their 
                determination to build a better life for themselves and 
                their children has enriched our Nation immeasurably. 
                For the tremendous contributions they have made to our 
                society, and for the many wonderful traditions that 
                their descendants continue to uphold, Americans across 
                the country join in recognizing this special day every 
                year.

                In honor of Leif Erikson--son of Iceland, grandson of 
                Norway--and of the vibrant Nordic American culture that 
                continues to grace our Nation, 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, 
                1994, as Leif Erikson Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                observe this occasion by learning more about our rich 
                Nordic-American heritage.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and nineteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-25548
Filed 10-11-94; 4:39 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P