[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10723-10724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5418]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 8, 1994]




                        Presidential Documents 



                Proclamation 6654 of March 2, 1994

 

Women's History Month, 1994

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                When author Zora Neale Hurston was growing up in 
                Eatonville, Florida, at the beginning of the century, 
                her mother encouraged her to ``jump at the sun''--to 
                set lofty goals--even if she were not certain to reach 
                them. In many ways, Zora did ``jump at the sun,'' 
                writing books, articles, and plays that have earned her 
                a place among America's finest writers and 
                anthropologists. Her mother's words became a powerful 
                metaphor for her life, and Zora's brilliant works 
                reflect the vibrant history of the many women whose 
                lives she studied.

                Zora Neale Hurston might never have imagined that women 
                would one day have the opportunity to take her mother's 
                teaching literally. But from Sally Ride to Mae Jemison 
                to Kathryn Sullivan, astronauts have soared closer to 
                the sun than most humans ever dreamed. As we celebrate 
                Women's History Month, 1994, Americans take special 
                pride in the scope of women's achievements, exemplified 
                by the daring spirit of these pioneering individuals. 
                We watched in awe recently as astronaut Sullivan 
                performed complex repairs on the Hubble space telescope 
                by the light of the rising sun. And we shared her 
                happiness as she basked in the love of her family at 
                the end of a successful mission. From author to 
                astronaut to able parent, women have embraced a myriad 
                of challenging roles throughout our Nation's history.

                But America has not yet fulfilled its promise of 
                equality for all people. While more women than ever now 
                hold public office in our country, more women than ever 
                must also bear sole responsibility for caring for their 
                families. We rely on women's knowledge and expertise in 
                every aspect of life, and yet we as a society fail to 
                provide many of our families the care and support they 
                so desperately need. We take satisfaction in knowing 
                that women have gained equality under the law, but we 
                must also recognize the ways in which true equality is 
                still only a dream. Zora's ``sun'' eludes our grasp. 
                This month, we rededicate ourselves to reaching it.

                On this occasion, we celebrate the lives of women too 
                long missing from our history books. We listen to the 
                voices of women too long absent from our national 
                memory. Most important, we look forward to a day when 
                society need not remind itself to note the 
                extraordinary accomplishments of women. We dream of a 
                time when, in passing the lessons of this generation 
                from teacher to student, from parent to child, we tell 
                a story of women and men working side by side. We will 
                say that it took all people, striving together, to 
                build a just and compassionate world of liberty, 
                charity, and peace.

                The Congress, by Public Law 103-22, has designated 
                March 1994 as ``Women's History Month'' and has 
                authorized and requested the President to issue a 
                proclamation in observance of this occasion.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1994 
                as Women's History Month. I invite all Americans to 
                observe this month with appropriate programs, 
                ceremonies, and activities, and to remember throughout 
                the year the rich and varied contributions that women 
                make to our world.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and 
                eighteenth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)>

[FR Doc. 94-5418
Filed 3-4-94; 12:29 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P