[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49491-49492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23990]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 1995 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 49491]]

                Proclamation 6827 of September 21, 1995

                
National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, 1995

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Just after the turn of the century, George Washington 
                Carver, teacher, scientist, and intellectual leader at 
                Tuskegee Institute, wrote, ``Education is the key to 
                unlock the golden door of freedom.'' His words ring 
                true for all Americans, but especially so for the 
                students of our Nation's historically black colleges 
                and universities. These institutions are a beacon of 
                hope, a path to advancement, and a source of pride for 
                African Americans and for everyone who values higher 
                learning.

                Founded on a commitment to equal opportunity and 
                academic excellence, historically black colleges and 
                universities have enabled countless members of our 
                society to receive a quality education and to pursue 
                their goals and careers. In every sector of our diverse 
                and vibrant country--business, law, academia, medicine, 
                science, the arts, and the military--graduates of these 
                schools have made outstanding contributions to our 
                Nation's progress.

                These distinguished institutions have long provided a 
                bridge to the American Dream for their alumni--many of 
                whom are the first in their families to graduate from 
                college. And while nearly all of America's 103 
                historically black colleges and universities are 
                located in the South, our entire Nation has benefited 
                from their legacy. Indeed, 27 percent of all 
                baccalaureate degrees awarded to African Americans are 
                granted by these schools, which represent only 3 
                percent of America's institutions of higher education.

                It is their commitment to academic rigor and their 
                dedication to empowering the minority community that 
                have enabled historically black colleges and 
                universities to build a proud tradition of excellence 
                in this country. As centers of independent thought, 
                black colleges hold out a promise to the young leaders 
                of tomorrow--a promise that our Nation will continue to 
                grow in wisdom, that the future will hold increased 
                opportunity, and that education will open new doors to 
                hope and prosperity.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 24 through 
                September 30, 1995, as National Historically Black 
                Colleges and Universities Week. I call upon the people 
                of the United States, including government officials, 
                educators, and administrators, to observe this week 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities 
                honoring America's black colleges and their graduates, 
                and I encourage all Americans to rededicate themselves 
                to the principles of justice and equality set forth in 
                our Constitution. 

[[Page 49492]]


                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twentieth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 95-23990
Filed 9-22-95; 1:54 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P