German-American Day, 2005

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 7940--German-American Day, 2005

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7940 of October 6, 2005

German-American Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

German Americans have played an important role in
establishing America as a land where liberty is
protected for all of its citizens. Each year on German-
American Day, we celebrate the contributions the
millions of Americans of German descent have made to
our great Nation.

Among the early German immigrants, many saw America as
a beacon of religious freedom and an opportunity for an
improved standard of living. German immigrants helped
pioneer the first American colony at Jamestown.
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg served as the first
Speaker of the House of Representatives; in this role,
he certified the final version of the Bill of Rights.

Throughout our country's history, men and women of
German descent have worn the uniform of the United
States military to defend our country's freedom. Among
these were Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief
of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II,
and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who went on to become
one of America's Presidents of German ancestry. Today,
German-American troops continue to serve proudly in our
Nation's Armed Forces.

German Americans have enriched many other aspects of
American life. Albert Einstein's advancements in the
field of physics help define our understanding of the
universe. Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as
Dr. Seuss, has captivated the imaginations of children
for generations with his timeless classics. Baseball
great Lou Gehrig's courage on and off the field
continues to inspire the American spirit more than 60
years after his death.

On German-American Day, we also honor the important
friendship between the United States and Germany. Our
nations share beliefs in human rights and dignity, and
on this day, I join all Americans in celebrating the
bonds that tie our two nations and in reaffirming the
importance of our continuing friendship.

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, 2005, as German-
American Day. I encourage all Americans to celebrate
the many contributions German Americans have made to
our Nation's liberty and prosperity.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B