Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3740

 123STA T . 3 7 2 0PROCL A M AT I O N84 37 — OCT. 9, 2009 pend 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 n8437 o fO cto be r 9,20 09 Columb u sDay,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 More than 50 0 years ha v e passed since Christopher Co l um b us set sail across the Atlantic Ocean in a bold attempt to e x pand human under- standin g of the k nown world. H is voyage radically altered the course of history and changed our world forever. Many generations later , that same spirit of exploration inspires Americans to pursue brave new frontiers in business, science, and technology. T oday, we reflect on the transformation of N orth America from a land of boundless opportunity to the modern communities of the 21 st century. Born in G enoa, I taly, Christopher Columbus ’j ourney aboard three Spanish ships revealed a new land for many E uropean nations whose people would later flock to our shores in search of prosperity and free- dom. These immigrants joined many thriving indigenous communities who suffered great hardships as a result of the changes to the land they inhabited. Although their competing ways of life were initially at odds, over time, the ‘ ‘New W orld’’ became a culturally and ethnically diverse place where we now enjoy the free exchange of ideas and democratic self-governance. Tribal communities continue to strengthen our Nation through their rich heritage and uni q ue identity. Columbus inspired generations of men and women to search out the farthest reaches of the world. F rom the coasts of Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico, explorers of Italian descent have directly influenced the growth of North America. Their dedication to our country has helped lay the foundation on which America was built. Today, Italian Americans continue to contribute immeasurably to the identity of our Nation, as role models, leaders, innovators, and committed public serv- ants. From the boardroom to the classroom, they are prominent in every facet of American life. In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’ historic exploration 51 7 years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 3 0,1 9 3 4( 4 8 Stat. 6 57 ) , andanActof J une 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has requested that the P resident proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as ‘‘Co- lumbus D ay.’’ NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2009, as Columbus Day. I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the ap- pointed day in honor of Christopher Columbus. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde-