Columbus Day, 2001

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Part III

The President

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Proclamation 7482--Columbus Day, 2001

Executive Order 13229--Amendment to Executive Order 13045, Extending
the Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to
Children

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7482 of October 8, 2001

Columbus Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

More than 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus set sail
from Spain on his historic voyage to what would be
called the ``New World.'' His celebrated journey
inaugurated an age of exploration that changed the
course of history and enormously expanded our
understanding of the world. Columbus' willingness to
brave the unknown led to his remarkable find, bringing
about further explorations that enormously enhanced the
intellectual, commercial, and demographic fabric of
Europe and the Americas. The stories of Columbus'
voyage became a symbol of the quest for knowledge and
understanding of the world, and it laid the historical
foundation upon which much of America's future progress
was built.

Reflecting on Christopher Columbus' legacy, we remember
his great courage in choosing to sail across uncharted
waters, we recall the power of his adventurous spirit,
and we are inspired by his willingness to assume
considerable risks for the sake of knowledge and
progress. These virtues have been echoed down through
history by some of America's greatest pioneers, from
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's daring
explorations of our western frontier to the Apollo
astronauts planting the American flag on the moon. Our
Nation continues to follow the example of Columbus'
bold desire to push the horizon, pursuing new paths of
research and using our discoveries to benefit all of
mankind.

Columbus' voyage represented the first linking of the
lands and cultures separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and
it served as a precursor to the close ties that exist
today between America and Europe. His discovery
connected continents separated by substantial
geographic, religious, and cultural barriers; and
America has since formed partnerships with nations
across the seas that have sought to overcome those and
other barriers through agreements affecting such areas
as trade, human rights, and military support.

In commemoration of Columbus' momentous journey 509
years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution of April
30, 1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, 1968
(82 Stat. 250), has requested that the President
proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as
``Columbus Day.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 8,
2001, as Columbus Day. I urge the people of the United
States to reflect on the contributions of Christopher
Columbus with appropriate means of celebration. I also
direct that the flag of the United States be displayed
on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor
of Christopher Columbus.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B