Date:
Mon Oct 8, 2001
Remarks by the President
Signing of Columbus Day Proclamation
The East Room
3:09 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very
much. I'm glad I invited you. (Laughter.)
Thank you all for coming. Laura
and I are delighted to have you here to
celebrate Columbus Day. Since
1934, when Franklin Roosevelt first
proclaimed the national holiday,
our entire nation has observed Columbus Day
to mark that moment when the Old
World met the New. We honor the man from
Genoa and the vision that carried
him throughout his ten-week voyage. And
we recognize -- as well we recognize
the unique contributions that people of
Italian descent have made here in
our country for more than five centuries.
Italian-Americans were among the many
public servants last month who gave
extraordinary service in an hour
of dire emergency. Some are with us today.
The Fire Department of Arlington,
Virginia was first on the scene after the
attack on the Pentagon. And
we're so honored to have Battalion Chief, Jim
Bonzano with us today. (Applause.)
We have representatives of the New
York Police and Fire Departments with us,
representatives of people who showed
incredible bravery and sacrifice and
determination. Please welcome
Joe Esposito and Chief Dan Nigro.
(Applause.)
Chief Nigro is the successor of Peter
Ganci, Jr., whom I had the privilege
of meeting two years ago. Chief
Ganci gave his life at the World Trade
Center and was laid to rest on September
the 15th. We're so delighted today
to have heroes here representing
the Ganci family: his wife, his two sons
and his daughters. Welcome,
and thank you for being here. (Applause.)
I can't remember if it was Chris or
Peter III who looked out at the South
Lawn and said, God, I wish Dad were
here. He could hit a three wood right
over the fence. (Laughter.)
I said, it might make him nervous; he might
shank it into the water. (Laughter.)
He said, no, you don't know my Dad.
I want to thank the Sons of Italy
who have joined us today, as well as the
leadership of the National Italian
American Foundation and UNICO National
who are here as well. Thank
you all for coming. (Applause.)
Ambassador Salleo from Italy; we're
so glad you're here, and thank you for
bringing your wife with you as well.
I just got off the phone call with
your Prime Minister, Prime Minister
Berlusconi, who is a good friend of mine
and a good friend of America's.
He sends his best, by the way. Welcome.
(Applause.)
I want to thank the members of Congress
who are here. Thank you all for
coming. And I also am so pleased
that the first Italian-American to serve
on our Supreme Court, has agreed
to join us as well. Justice Scalia, thank
you for being here, sir. (Applause.)
I'm proud to have a number of Italian-Americans
in my administration. A
member of my Cabinet unfortunately
is not here, but I can assure you he's
doing a great job, and that's Tony
Principi. So Proud of Tony's service to
the veterans of our country.
He's doing a really outstanding job.
As you know, that sometimes we have
to do battle on Capitol Hill. I try to
avoid those battles, but occasionally,
it has to happen. And, therefore, I
picked an Italian-American to lead
that battle for the White House.
(Laughter.) Nick Calio.
Where are you, Nick? (Applause.) There you are.
I know Congresswoman Pelosi is saying,
all you've got to do is do it the way
she tells you to, and things will
be fine. (Applause.) I'm also honored
that Gian-Carlo Peressutti of my
staff has put this event together. And I
want to thank Gian-Carlo as well
for his hard work. (Applause.)
Our White House has been -- has welcomed
many entertainers before. And
today, we have the honor of welcoming
a lady who you all know well, whose
mom had entertained at the White
House years ago. She entertained the
Kennedys. And today, after
I sign the proclamation, Liza Minnelli has
agreed to entertain us in this beautiful
room in this beautiful house of the
people.
I was in New York last week.
Like all Americans, I am amazed at what a
great job the New York City folks
are doing. The spirit of New York. The
willingness for people to pull together
and to help a neighbor in need. And
I'm most impressed by the character
of the leadership there. Two people of
Italian heritage, I might add:
The Governor -- (laughter) -- and Mayor Rudy
Giuliani. (Applause.)
The evil ones thought they were going
to hurt us, and they did, to a certain
extent. But what they really
did was, they enabled the world to see the
true character and compassion and
spirit of our country. And no finer
example of that than New York City.
This Columbus Day should be one of
deep pride for all Americans -- all
Americans -- especially those for
Italian descent. From the very beginning
of our country, the sons and daughters
of Italy have brought honor to
themselves and have enriched our
national life. In the beauty of this
Capital City we see the hand of Italian
immigrants who spent more than 10
years carving the great seated figure
in the Lincoln Memorial, who adorned
the National Cathedral with statues,
and who graced the dome and corridors
of the Capitol building with magnificent
art.
Our freedom itself was gained with
the help of three Italian regiments that
crossed the Atlantic to fight in
the Revolutionary War. Our Declaration of
Independence bears the signatures
of two Italian-Americans. In later
struggle, dozens of Italian-Americans
would receive the Medal of Honor. And
today, when Americans pay tribute
to the Greatest Generation, we have in
mind people like Captain Don Gentile,
the fighting ace whom General
Eisenhower described as a "one-man
air force."
Take any field of endeavor -- any
achievement of this country -- and
Italian-Americans are part of it.
For generation after generation, the
success of our country has drawn
heavily from the industry and
resourcefulness of Italian immigrants
and their families. The same can be
said for the values that make us
great nation. The millions who came here
brought with them a distinct strength
of character, faith in God, devotion
to family, and love of life.
This summer I visited Genoa, where,
550 years ago, Christopher Columbus was
born. All around that vibrant,
modern city are glimpses of the ancient
civilization that still inspires
the world's admiration, and always will.
In so many ways, that culture has
added to our own -- first on three small
ships, then on many more. It
is our good fortune to be an immigrant nation
-- to be the keepers of traditions
and gifts that have come to us from great
nations like Italy.
More than 15 million Americans claim
Italian heritage. And all Americans
have reason to be grateful, because
we would be poorer without it. I now
have the singular honor of signing
the official document proclaiming October
8th, 2001 as Columbus Day in the
United States of America. (Applause.)
END
3:17 P.M. EDT
Columbus Day, 2001
By the President of the United
States of America
A Proclamation
More than
500 years ago, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on his historic
voyage to what would be called the "New World." His celebrated journey
inaugurated an age of exploration that changed the course of history and
enormously expanded our understanding of the world. Columbus' willingness
to brave the unknown led to his remarkable find, bringing about further
explorations that enormously enhanced the intellectual, commercial, and
demographic fabric of Europe and the Americas. The stories of Columbus'
voyage became a symbol of the quest for knowledge and understanding of
the world, and it laid the historical foundation upon which much of America's
future progress was built.
Reflecting
on Christopher Columbus' legacy, we remember his great courage in choosing
to sail across uncharted waters, we recall the power of his adventurous
spirit, and we are inspired by his willingness to assume considerable risks
for the sake of knowledge and progress. These virtues have been echoed
down through history by some of America's greatest pioneers, from Meriwether
Lewis and William Clark's daring explorations of our western frontier to
the Apollo astronauts planting the American flag on the moon. Our
Nation continues to follow the example of Columbus' bold desire to push
the horizon, pursuing new paths of research and using our discoveries to
benefit all of mankind.
Columbus'
voyage represented the first linking of the lands and cultures separated
by the Atlantic Ocean, and it served as a precursor to the close ties that
exist today between America and Europe. His discovery connected continents
separated by substan-tial geographic, religious, and cultural barriers;
and America has since formed partnerships with nations across the seas
that have sought to overcome those and other barriers through agreements
affecting such areas as trade, human rights, and military support.
In commemoration
of Columbus' momentous journey 509 years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution
of April 30, 1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat.
250), has requested that the President proclaim the second Monday of October
of each year as "Columbus Day."
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby
proclaim October 8, 2001, as Columbus Day. I urge the people of the
United States to
reflect on the contributions of Christopher
Columbus with appropriate means of celebration. I also direct that
the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the
appointed day in honor of Christopher Columbus.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October, in the
year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
