97 STAT. 56 PUBLIC LAW 98-15 —APR. 4, 1983 Apr. 4, 1983 [S.J. Res. 64] Swedish- American Friendship Day. Public Law 98-15 98th Congress Joint Resolution To commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Sweden and the United States. Whereas Sweden was the first nation that did not participate in the Revolutionary War to enter into a treaty of friendship and com- merce with the United States; Whereas close and friendly diplomatic, cultural, and trade relations have existed between Sweden and the United States over the years, virtually since the foundation of this Republic; Whereas emigration from Sweden to the United States has estab- lished a strong Swedish-American culture; Whereas nearly five million Americans are of Swedish ancestry; Whereas Sweden and the United States share a strong democratic tradition, and commitments to fundamental individual rights of freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; Whereas the United States and Sweden have acted vigorously to strengthen international dispute resolution mechanisms; Whereas April 3, 1983, marks the two hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Swedish-American treaty negotiated by Benjamin Franklin and the Swedish Ambassador to France, Count Gustaf Philip Creutz; Whereas, in commemoration of the bicentennial, the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, Ingemund Bengtsson, will visit Congress in April: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating Monday, April 4, 1983, as "Swedish-American Friendship Day" and that a copy of this resolution be presented to Speaker Bengtsson to be received on behalf of the Swedish people. Approved April 4, 1983. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 64: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): Mar. 18, considered and passed Senate. Mar. 24, considered and passed House.
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