Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3738

 123STA T . 3 7 1 8PROCL A M AT I O N 8 4 3 5— OCT. 7 , 2 0 0 9pend en c e ofth e U n i ted S t a te s of Am e r ica the t w oh u ndred and thirt y- fourth .B A R A CKO BA M A Proclam a ti o n8435 o fO cto be r 7,20 0 9LeifEr i ksonDay,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation On this day in 1825, the ship R esta u ration l anded in N ew Y or k City after sailin g for 3 months from Sta v anger, Norway. T he 52 passengers a b oard represented the first organi z ed emigration of Norwegians to America. These brave individuals set to the seas, following in the grand footsteps of the famous Scandinavian e x plorer L eif E rikson. Over a millennium ago, Leif Erikson — son of I celand and grandson of Nor- way—arrived in North America and founded the settlement V inland, located in modern-day Canada. Today, we celebrate his historic voyage and remember those who j ourneyed to America from far-away lands. Our Nation ’ s founding history is marked by millions of individuals who faced great hardship and difficulty as they pursued a brighter fu- ture abroad. As explorers, they did not know what they would find, but they were determined not to turn back, in order to learn what lay beyond the setting sun. This same spirit lived within Leif Erikson, and it has inspired countless others who venture from their homes in search of opportunity, uncertain of the possibilities and challenges that await them. Today, our Nation continues to welcome those descendents of Leif Erikson to our shores. Nordic Americans have contributed immeas- urably to the success of America. Their cultural accomplishments have enriched the diversity of our country. And their pioneering spirit con- tinues to embody our Nation’s unbounded enthusiasm for discovery and learning. To honor Leif Erikson and celebrate our Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (P ublic Law 88 – 5 6 6 ) approved on Sep- tember 2, 1 9 6 4, has authorized the President to proclaim October 9 of each year as ‘ ‘Leif Erikson D ay.’’ NO W ,T H ERE F ORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2 0 09, as Leif Erikson Day, and I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appro- priate ceremonies, activities, and programs to honor our country’s rich Nordic-American heritage. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- fourth. BARACK OBAMA