Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas On Patriot’s Day 1897, fifteen runners began a race through the Boston area, and only ten crossed the finish line to become the first participants of the Boston Marathon, organized by the Boston Athletic Association; and

Whereas An integral part of Boston’s rich sporting history, the Boston Marathon has grown to become a premiere athletic event, inspiring spectators and attracting participants, both professional and amateur, from around the world; and

Whereas Each Patriots’ Day, thousands of individuals visit the City of Boston to compete, participate in and view one of the oldest annual sporting events in the United States; and

Whereas Behind the scenes of this historic athletic event, more than 6,000 volunteers give of their time and effort to support and encourage competitors, by manning water stations and providing first aid along the entire 26.2 mile course in the spirit of the Boston Marathon -  cooperation, camaraderie, and personal achievement; and

Whereas The Commonwealth welcomes the thousands of visitors who have come to participate in and view the 116th running of the Boston Marathon; and

Whereas It is appropriate that all Massachusetts citizens recognize the tremendous sacrifices and applaud the efforts of those individuals who participate in this grand challenge that begins in the Town of Hopkinton and ends in the City of Boston,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 16th, 2012, to be,

Boston Marathon Day

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this second day of February, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
               

By His Excellency                  

Deval L. Patrick                       
Governor of the Commonwealth       

William Francis Galvin            
Secretary of the Commonwealth  

     
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts