Logan. who. as commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. ordered the initial nationwide observance of a "Decoration Day" on May 30. 1868. to commemorate the fallen of the Civil War. Under these circumstances. since our present Memorial Day commemorates the fallen of all of our wars. it is the committees judgment that the date of May 30 is of limited importance. In recommending the observance of Columbus Day. it is the committees judgment that such a holiday would be. as has been suggested by Representative Rodino. "an annual reaffirmation by the American people of their faith in the future. a declaration of willingness to face with confidence the imponderables of unknown tomorrows." It is also the committees judgment that the observance of Columbus Day is an appropriate means of recognizing the United States as a "nation of immigrants"-as we were described by the late President Kennedy. By commemorating the voyage of Columbus to the New World. we would be honoring the courage and determination which enabled generation after generation of immigrants from every nation to broaden their horizons in search of new hopes and a renewed affirmation of freedom. In recommending that Veterans Day be observed on the fourth Monday in October. the committee is cognizant of the fact that the present holiday was formerly known as Armistice Day with its date determined by the ceasefire that was arranged between Germany and the Allied Nations bringing the First World War to a close. The committee feels that inasmuch as Vetearns Day commemorates the veterans of all of the Nations wars. its observance can appropriately take place on a Monday without in any way detracting from the historical significance of the close of the First World War.
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immigrants