PUBLIC LAW 99-304—MAY 15, 1986
100 STAT. 439
Public Law 99-304 99th Congress Joint Resolution To designate 1988 as the "Year of New Sweden" and to recognize the New Sweden 1988 American Committee.
Whereas on or about March 29, 1638, the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip, ships sent by Sweden to establish a colony in the Delaware River Valley, anchored off the "Rocks" on the Christina River in what is now the State of Delaware; Whereas the colony which they established—New Sweden—was the first permanent settlement of Swedes in North America; Whereas Swedish settlers were instrumental in the founding of our Nation; John Morton of Pennsylvania, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was of Swedish descent, as was John Hanson of Maryland, who presided over the Continental Congress from 1781 through 1782; Whereas Swedish immigration to the United States consisted of one million two hundred thousand people between the late 1840's and the late 1920's, who came here to seek a better life; these settlers dispersed to all regions of the United States; Whereas the contributions of Swedish-Americans to our way of life and our culture have been varied and many; their pioneering nature made them leaders in many fields including politics, business, education and the arts; Whereas it is estimated that today there are four million two hundred thousand United States citizens of Swedish descent living in every State and involved in every walk of life; Whereas 1988 marks the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip in North America; Whereas a United States committee—New Sweden 1988—is planning a series of events and celebrations throughout our Nation to commemorate this anniversary; and Whereas at the present time, the following American cities and States have New Sweden 1988 committees and chairs planning local activities: Washington, District of Columbia, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, New Jersey, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Illinois: Now, therefore, be it
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May 15, 1986 [S.J. Res. 289]
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