Presidential Proclamation for Columbus Day 
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 
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