[Federal Register: October 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 195)]
[Presidential Documents]               
[Page 58259-58260]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08oc03-135]                         



                        Presidential Documents 




[[Page 58259]]


                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.

[[Page 58260]]

                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

[FR Doc. 03-25653
Filed 10-7-03; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195-01-P