German-American Day, 2003

Proclamation 7715 of October 3, 2003

German-American Day, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

German-American Day celebrates more than 300 years of
German immigration to our shores, beginning with the
arrival of 13 Mennonite families from Krefeld on
October 6, 1683. Seeking a new life of freedom and
opportunity, these immigrants settled in Pennsylvania
and founded Germantown near the city of Philadelphia.
On this day, we recognize the contributions of those
German pioneers, and millions of other German-American
immigrants and their descendants, to the life and
culture of our great Nation.

As one of the largest ethnic groups in the United
States, German Americans have greatly influenced our
country in the fields of business, government, law,
science, athletics, the arts, and many others. Henry
Engelhard Steinway and his sons founded Steinway & Sons
in 1853. The 300,000th Steinway piano, the ``golden
grand,'' was presented to President Franklin Roosevelt
in 1938, and is still on display at the White House.
John Augustus Roebling and his son pioneered the
development of suspension bridges and wire cable. Their
construction of the Brooklyn Bridge is a lasting
landmark to their skill, determination, and innovation.
And entrepreneurs such as John Davison Rockefeller,
John Wanamaker, and Milton Snavely Hershey helped to
strengthen the American economy and inspire others to
reach for the American Dream.

In addition to their many professional achievements,
German Americans have influenced American culture. From
Christmas trees to kindergartens, the United States has
adopted many German traditions and institutions. By
celebrating and sharing their customs and traditions,
German Americans help to preserve their rich heritage
and enhance the cultural diversity of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2003, as German-
American Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize
the contributions to the liberty and prosperity of the
United States of our citizens of German descent.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
third day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

(Presidential Sig.)B