[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 31925-31926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1324]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 108 / Wednesday, June 4, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 31925]]


                Proclamation 8266 of May 30, 2008

                
Italian Independence Day, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Italian Independence Day, we recognize our 
                friendship with the nation of Italy, and we celebrate 
                the generations of Italian Americans who have made 
                significant contributions to our national character.

                June 2, 1946, marks the birth of the Italian Republic, 
                the long-awaited triumph of liberty and democracy in an 
                ancient land. Today, Italy is a friend of the United 
                States and an ally of freedom and peace. Italians and 
                Americans join together on Italian Independence Day to 
                commemorate Italy's independence and celebrate its rich 
                history.

                The people of our two countries share special ties 
                rooted in history, friendship, and family. Millions of 
                American citizens have Italian ancestry, and they and 
                their forebears have helped shape our way of life. 
                Americans are grateful for the many contributions 
                Italians and Italian Americans have made to our history 
                and our culture, and we are proud that our nations are 
                allies in the cause of peace and security around the 
                world.

                In celebrating Italian Independence Day, we commemorate 
                the freedoms our countries hold dear, and we honor the 
                generations of Italian Americans who came to our shores 
                seeking opportunity. They have helped to shape our 
                great Nation and influenced American life for the 
                better.

                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 June 2, 2008, as Italian 
                Independence Day. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this day by celebrating the contributions of Italians 
                and Italian Americans to our Nation.

[[Page 31926]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. 
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 08-1324
Filed 6-3-08; 8:59 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P