[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49647-49648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24441]



[[Page 49645]]


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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 6919--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1996
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 184 / Friday, September 20, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 49647]]

                Proclamation 6919 of September 18, 1996

                
National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America draws strength from the extraordinary diversity 
                of its people. Our national character is enhanced by 
                citizens who maintain and honor cultural customs 
                brought from other lands. Hispanics, who have long been 
                part of this tradition, were the earliest European 
                settlers of this great Nation, with the Spanish 
                founding cities in Florida in the 1500's, and Mexicans 
                establishing homesteads in the Southwest in the 1600's. 
                Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens in 1917, and other 
                Latinos over the years, including Cubans and Central 
                Americans, came to the United States in search of 
                democracy, freedom, and a better way of life.

                Hispanics, who are of all races, distinguish themselves 
                as a community by fostering connections rooted in the 
                Spanish language. Their diverse and vibrant culture 
                includes elements originating in Spain, North America, 
                Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. 
                Hispanics share deep family values, recognize their 
                obligations to the less fortunate of our society, 
                protect their children, cherish freedom, and fulfill 
                their patriotic duty to defend their country.

                Earlier this month, I awarded our Nation's highest 
                civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 
                Dr. Antonia Pantoja. Dr. Pantoja has inspired 
                generations of Latino youth to ``dare to dream.'' 
                Believing that hard work can overcome any obstacle, she 
                went from factory worker to college professor and has 
                dedicated her life to bringing educational and economic 
                opportunities to the Puerto Rican community.

                Sadly, we recently lost one of our great countrymen, 
                Dr. Hector P. Garcia of Corpus Christi, Texas. A member 
                of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and a recipient 
                of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is best 
                remembered for his service to the Latino community, 
                founding the American GI Forum to defend the civil 
                rights of Hispanic veterans and organizing one of the 
                first civil rights marches in the 1940's.

                Many other Hispanic sons and daughters have served our 
                country with distinction, making important 
                contributions in the arts and sciences, the business 
                world, academia, government, agriculture, and the Armed 
                Forces. Helping to preserve the democracy and freedom 
                all Americans enjoy, Hispanics have served in the 
                United States Armed Forces in proportions much larger 
                than their percentage of the population. Since World 
                War I, our Nation has awarded the Medal of Honor, our 
                highest military honor, to more Latinos than any other 
                ethnic group.

                Today, let us honor Hispanics for their example of 
                community and patriotism, and for the richness of their 
                contribution to this great land.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                15 through October 15, 1996, as National Hispanic 
                Heritage Month. I call upon all government officials, 
                educators, and people of the United States to honor 
                this observance with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
                and activities, and encourage all Americans to 
                rededicate themselves to the pursuit of equality.

[[Page 49648]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of September, 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 twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 96-24441
Filed 9-19-96; 11:40 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P