Proclamation 3223—Oregon Centennial Celebration, 1959

Whereas patriotic Americans, with pioneer endeavor and heroic endurance, created a basis for self-government in a fertile territory of the Northwest; and

Whereas Oregon, on February 14, 1859, in recognition of the achievements of its people, was admitted into the Union as the thirty-third State of the United States; and

Whereas the year 1959 will mark the one hundredth anniversary of statehood for Oregon, known as the Beaver State, and the Legislative Assembly of that State has provided for a Centennial Celebration to commemorate the anniversary in a fitting and a proper manner; and

Whereas this Celebration, which will include the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair, will bring to the attention of the Nation and the world the resources of the Northwest, will stimulate industry, will promote trade and peaceful relationships with other peoples, and will serve as a reminder of the rich and historic heritage of the land at the end of the Oregon Trail; and

Whereas the Congress of the United States, by a joint resolution approved February 4, 1958, authorized the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the people to commemorate with appropriate ceremonies the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of Oregon into the Union:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, pursuant to the joint resolution of Congress and the request of the Governor of Oregon, do hereby call upon the American people to observe the one hundredth anniversary of Oregon's admission to statehood throughout the centennial year beginning February 14, 1959, by appropriate activities and ceremonies. I also invite the States of the Union, and our Territories and possessions to participate in the Celebration which will be held at Portland, Oregon, in 1959.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-second.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

By the President:

CHRISTIAN A. HERTER,

Acting Secretary of State