Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/645

 PROCLAMATION 7239—OCT. 8, 1999 113 STAT. 2163 initiatives to encourage mentoring, and we set aside $14 million in grants for the Justice Department's Juvenile Mentoring Program. Children bring so much hope, joy, and love to our lives; in return, we owe them our time, our attention, the powei' of our example, and the comfort of our concern. It is a fair trade, and <me that enriches the lives of us all. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 hemby proclaim October 10, 1999, as National Children's Day. I urge all ^juericans to express their love and appreciation for the dbildren of our Nation on this day and on every day throughout the year. I invite Federal officials, local govenmients, communities, and all American families to join in observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also urge all Americans to reflect upon the importance of children to our families, the importance of strong families to oiur children, and the importance of both to America. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen ![iimdred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-foiurth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 7239 of October 8, 1999 Columbus Day, 1999 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Although Christopher Columbus' first voyages to the New World took place more than 500 years ago, the momentous changes it brought about still resonate today. His journey triggered a historic encounter between Eiu:ope and the native peoples of the New World; helped open new continents to exploration, trade, and development; estabhshed a reliable route to the Americas; and was a major milestone in the inexorable trend toward expansion and globalization. Columbus could not have imagined the full impact of his arrival in 1492 or how his journey would shape himian history. The zeal for trade that motivated the Spanish crown to fund Columbus' voyages still exists today as we work to strengthen our commercial ties with other nations and to compete in an increasingly global economy. Coliunbus' own passion for adventure survives as an integral part of oxn: national character and heritage, reflected in OMI explorations of the oceans' depths and the outer reaches of our solar system. A son of Italy, Columbus opened the door to the New World for millions of people from across the globe who have followed their dreams to America. Today, Americans of Italian and Spanish descent can take special pride, not only in Columbus' historic achievements, but also in their own immeasiu'able contributions to our national life. From business to the arts, from government to academia, they have played an important part in advancing the peace and prosperity our country enjoys today.

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