[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 213 (Friday, November 1, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56397-56398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28293]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 213 / Friday, November 1, 1996 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 56397]]

                Proclamation 6949 of October 29, 1996

                
National American Indian Heritage Month, 1996

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska 
                Native peoples have been an integral part of the 
                American character. Against the odds, America's first 
                peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural, 
                political, social, and moral presence. Tribal America 
                has brought to this great country certain values and 
                ideas that have become ingrained in the American 
                spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and 
                prosper without destroying the natural environment; the 
                understanding that people from very different 
                backgrounds, cultures, religions, and traditions can 
                come together to build a great country; and the 
                awareness that diversity can be a source of strength 
                rather than division.

                As we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month this 
                year, we take note of the injustices that have been 
                suffered by American Indian people. Even today, few 
                enjoy the full bounty of America's prosperity. But even 
                as we look to the past, we must also look to the 
                future. Along with other Americans, American Indians 
                and Alaska Natives will face new challenges in the 
                coming century. We can ill afford to leave any of our 
                people behind. Tribal America must figure as 
                prominently in our future as it has in our past.

                Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle that all 
                Americans have the tools to make the most of their God-
                given potential. For Indian tribes and tribal members, 
                this means that the authority of tribal governments 
                must be accorded the respect and support to which they 
                are entitled under the law. It means that American 
                Indian children and youth must be provided a solid 
                education and the opportunity to go on to college. It 
                means that more must be done to stimulate tribal 
                economies, create jobs, and increase economic 
                opportunities.

                Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the 
                foundation we build today. We must teach our children 
                about our past--both the good and the bad--so that they 
                may learn from our successes and mistakes. We must 
                provide our children with the knowledge and skills to 
                permit them to surpass our own achievements and create 
                a stronger, more united American community. We must 
                provide them greater opportunity. It was the Iroquois 
                who taught that in every deliberation we should 
                consider the impact of our decisions on the next 7 
                generations.

                In recognition of the important contributions of 
                American Indian and Alaska Native peoples to our 
                country and in light of the special legal relationship 
                between the tribes and the Government of the United 
                States, and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate 
                National American Indian Heritage 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 November 1996 as National 
                American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans, 
                as well as their elected representatives at the 
                Federal, State, local, and tribal levels, to observe 
                this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities.

[[Page 56398]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of October, 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. 96-28293
Filed 10-31-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P