For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 5, 2002
German-American Day, 2002
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As the oldest and longest-lived democracy in the world, our Nation
is committed to promoting freedom, protecting liberty, and pursuing
peace. For over 225 years, America has been a place where people have
come to realize their dreams and enjoy the blessings of religious
tolerance and individual rights.
In 1683, 13 immigrant families left Germany to escape religious
persecution and establish the first German settlement in North America
in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Since that time, more than 7 million
German immigrants have come to America, and through hard work,
innovation, and dedication, they have influenced our Nation and
strengthened our country. Each year, we celebrate German-American Day,
which offers us the chance to reflect on the proud and important
contributions that German Americans have made to the United States.
Carl Schurz, who emigrated from the Rhineland, served as a United
States Senator and Secretary of the Interior. He said that German
immigrants "could render no greater honor to their former fatherland
than by becoming conscientious and faithful citizens of their new
country." As farmers, business-men, scientists, artists, teachers, and
politicians, German Americans have con-tributed to the values that make
our Nation strong. Through his artistic abilities as a cartoonist and
caricaturist during and following the Civil War, Thomas Nast
established himself as a political voice for the underprivileged and
champion of equal rights for all citizens.
The important work of Joseph Pulitzer helped to create the American
legacy of freedom of the press and to advance the field of journalism.
Oscar Hammerstein is known as an integral figure in the history of the
United States opera for building his second Manhattan Opera House in
addition to several other theaters. This tradition of excellence
continued with the musical talents of his grandson, Oscar Hammerstein
II, as he elevated the American musical comedy to musical theater that
Americans enjoy today. The efforts of German-American entrepreneurs
Levi Strauss, the creator of blue jeans, and Walter Percy Chrysler, the
first president of Chrysler Corporation in 1925, reflect the
entrepreneurial spirit of our country. Today, German Americans
continue to serve this Nation with distinction in our Armed Forces, in
our communities, and throughout all sectors of our society.
On this day, we recognize the important and continuing relationship
between Germany and the United States. Our friendship was forged after
World War II and is based on mutual support and respect. Germany
showed meaningful support for the United States after the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks. On this day, I am pleased to call all
Americans to celebrate the contributions that German Americans have
made to our Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 hereby proclaim October 6, 2002, as
German-American Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the
contributions of our citizens of German descent to the liberty and
prosperity of the United States, and to celebrate our close ties to the
people of Germany.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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