[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 8847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5358]




[[Page 8845]]

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Part XI





The President





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Proclamation 6868--Irish-American Heritage Month, 1996



Proclamation 6869--Save Your Vision Week, 1996
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 5, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 8847]]

                Proclamation 6868 of March 1, 1996

                
Irish-American Heritage Month, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                I am pleased to count myself among the over 40 million 
                Americans who can trace their heritage back to Ireland. 
                Like so many of our forebears, immigrants from the 
                Emerald Isle came to this country seeking dignity and 
                prosperity, and they brought with them traditions 
                rooted in the values of family and faith. Some arrived 
                on our shores even before our Nation was founded, 
                lending their energy to the establishment of our 
                Republic; nine sons of Ireland signed the Declaration 
                of Independence, and our first President, George 
                Washington, proudly claimed Irish ancestry.

                The largest wave of Irish immigration occurred 150 
                years ago, when more than 1 million people left Ireland 
                for America as potato blight and famine devastated 
                their homeland. These sons and daughters of Erin 
                transformed our cities, stimulating industry and 
                commerce from New York to Boston to Chicago. In 
                pursuing the American Dream, they set an example of 
                courage, hard work, and determination that was to be 
                followed again and again by hopeful newcomers.

                Today, Irish Americans celebrate this history and the 
                contributions that their brethren have made to all 
                aspects of American life--providing leadership in 
                Government, the law, business, finance, literature, and 
                the arts. Renewed interest in Gaelic culture has led to 
                university courses in Irish studies, and hundreds of 
                Saint Patrick's Day parades across the country attest 
                to the vigor of Irish American communities. This month 
                and throughout the year, let us recognize the gifts 
                brought to America by children of Ireland and honor the 
                strengths they have added to our national character.

                In tribute to all Irish Americans, the Congress, by 
                Public Law 103-379, has designated March 1996 as 
                ``Irish-American Heritage Month'' and has authorized 
                and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this month.

                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 laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim March 1996 as Irish-American 
                Heritage Month. I call upon all the people of the 
                United States to observe this month with appropriate 
                ceremonies, activities, and programs.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-5358
Filed 3-4-96; 11:12 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P