Wright Brothers Day, 2007

Proclamation 8211 of December 11, 2007

Wright Brothers Day, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The cause of discovery and exploration is a desire
written in the human heart. On Wright Brothers Day, we
remember the achievement of two young brothers on the
Outer Banks of North Carolina whose persistence, skill,
ingenuity, and daring revolutionized the world.

Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first manned,
powered flight on December 17, 1903. Orville
experienced the thrill of flight when he felt the first
lift of the wing of the small wood and canvas aircraft
that would travel 120 feet in 12 seconds. The brothers'
passion and spirit of discovery helped define our
Nation and paved the way for future generations of
innovators to launch satellites, orbit the Earth, and
travel to the Moon and back.

Our country is continuing the Wright brothers' great
American journey. My Administration is committed to
advancing space science, human space flight, and space
exploration. We will continue to work to expand the
horizons of human knowledge to ensure that America is
at the forefront of discovery for decades to come.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December
17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has
designated December 17 of each year as ``Wright
Brothers Day'' and has authorized and requested the
President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the
people of the United States to observe that day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim December
17, 2007, as Wright Brothers Day.

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