Dutch-American Friendship Day, 2007

Proclamation 8128 of April 19, 2007

Dutch-American Friendship Day, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Dutch-American Friendship Day, we celebrate our
longtime friendship with the Kingdom of the Netherlands
and honor the many Dutch Americans who have made
significant contributions to our country.

Our close partnership with the Netherlands dates back
to the founding of our Nation, and it remains among our
oldest continuous relationships. Many of the Pilgrims
first sailed for the New World from a Dutch port, and
when a small American warship approached the island of
St. Eustatius in 1776, the Dutch port there gave the
American flag its first friendly gun salute. A few
years later, the Netherlands became one of the first
nations to recognize the independence of the United
States of America. The United States and the
Netherlands are continuing that tradition of close
cooperation in the 21st century, working together to
bring hope and liberty to places where it has long been
denied.

Dutch Americans have enriched the American experience
and have helped write our history, strengthen our
character, and shape our society. Today, we pay tribute
to our allies in the Netherlands and recognize the
proud citizens of Dutch ancestry who call America home.

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 April 19, 2007, as Dutch-
American Friendship Day. I encourage all Americans to
celebrate our country's Dutch heritage and the many
ways Dutch Americans have strengthened our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.