PORTSMOUTH PEACE TREATY DAY

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

Whereas, September 5th 2010 is designated by law as “Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day,” in perpetuity, throughout the state; and

Whereas, the intent of Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day is to commemorate President Theodore Roosevelt’s designation of New Hampshire as the host for the peace conference that ended the Russo-Japanese War, the largest modern land and sea war the world had seen;

Whereas, President Roosevelt never came to Portsmouth, instead relying upon  the US Assistant Secretary of State, the US Navy and the governor and citizens of New Hampshire to facilitate the 30 days of formal and informal negotiations between the Japanese and Russian diplomats in and around Portsmouth; and

Whereas, in Portsmouth in 1905 “an uncommon commitment to peace became a common virtue” as "citizen diplomacy" -- the involvement of local people -- significantly contributed to the favorable outcome of the negotiations that earned President Roosevelt the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize; and

Whereas, the bill marking Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day throughout New Hampshire is the sole example of a state honoring its citizens for the active role they played in fostering successful international negotiations,

Now, therefore, I, John H. Lynch, Governor of the State of New Hampshire do hereby proclaim September 5, 2010 as PORTSMOUTH PEACE TREATY DAY and call on the citizens of New Hampshire to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating this important piece of New Hampshire history.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Concord, this 27th day of August, in the year of our lord 2010, and the independence of the United States of America 235.

John H. Lynch, Governor