Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 3.djvu/1088

 103 STAT. 3156 PROCLAMATION 6066—NOV. 9, 1989 ards of the State's vast forests, clear waters, grand moiintains, and abundant wildlife. Since achieving statehood in 1889, Washington has also witnessed tre- mendous economic development. Washington State has become a leader in aviation, computer software, shipbuilding, trade, forestry, ag- riculture, and the production of energy. The Puget Soimd area floiu-- ishes as a gateway to the Pacific. Eastern Washington boasts rich soil that has made the State famous worldwide for its apples and many other crops. In recognition of the importance of Washington's contributions to the United States and in commemoration of its Centennial, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 209, has designated November 11, 1989, as "Washington Centexmial Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 1989, as Washington Centennial Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two him- dred and fourteenth. \?^!fc* GEORGE BUSH Proclamation 6066 of November 9, 1989 Geography Awareness Week, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Geographic conditions around the world have had a great influence upon both the history of mankind and the course of current events. Ge- ography has been an important factor in the social, political, and eco- nomic development of virtually every nation. Thus, the study of geogra- phy—the study of a people, their environment, their cultural heritage, and their natural resoiu-ces—is essential not only to our understanding of the past but also to our ability to participate in an increasingly inter- dependent world. While public awareness of geography is important to our Nation's polit- ical and economic leadership in the world, far too many Americans have little knowledge of the subject. According to one recent poll, Americans ranked among the bottom third on an international test of geographical knowledge. Scores for Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 were particularly poor. Statistics have indicated that a large mmiber of American students cannot locate the United States on a map of the world, and many adults cannot name more than one-fourth of the NATO member nations. Some cannot name any. This lack of fundamental geographic knowledge, including knowledge of foreign languages and cultiu'es, places the United States at a serious disadvantage in matters of international commerce and politics. We

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