Bill Clinton

“ For the United States, it is especially significant that we recognize the daring voyages of Christopher Columbus. As a people whose land was founded on dreams, we proceed today, just as Columbus did, with courage to overcome obstacles and search for new paths to lead us into an unknown, but promising, future.
Many people in the United States have special reason to remember and celebrate the histories of the old and new worlds. America, a Nation of diverse peoples, has been enriched by the blending of many heritages. ”

“ Even though the Quincentennial celebrations of Columbus' landfall are past, it is still our duty to promote understanding between the old and new worlds. It is important to commemorate the mutual discovery of Europeans and Native Americans and the transformations, through toil and pain, that gave birth to brave new hopes for a better future. ”