[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 5287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2868]



[[Page 5285]]

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Part IV

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The President





Proclamation 6970--National African American History Month, 1997
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 23 / Tuesday, February 4, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 5287]]

                Proclamation 6970 of January 30, 1997

                
National African American History Month, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For much of the past century, the contributions that 
                African Americans and other minorities have made to our 
                Nation's progress were not fully recognized. African 
                American History Month is an important means by which 
                we help right that wrong. It awakens our collective 
                social conscience to the importance of giving all of 
                our children a complete and accurate record of their 
                country's history. And, perhaps most important, it 
                helps to reinforce America's highest ideals--our 
                respect for diversity, community, and freedom.

                During this time of celebration and learning we are 
                inspired by the courage, wisdom, and vision of men and 
                women such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, 
                Carter G. Woodson, and Fannie Lou Hamer. These great 
                Americans dedicated their lives to ensuring that the 
                ideals of freedom and equality are guaranteed to all. 
                Their noble efforts--and the efforts of those they 
                inspired--renewed the spirit of our founding creed: 
                ``All men are created equal.'' As we approach the 21st 
                century, it is more vital than ever that we remain 
                vigilant in protecting the ideals these visionary 
                leaders fought so hard to uphold. We must continue to 
                extend the circle of equality, justice, and opportunity 
                until it embraces every American.

                As we pay homage to our past, throughout the month of 
                February and all year long, let us, with enlightened 
                minds and emboldened hearts, continue the legacy of the 
                civil rights movement. Let us present a diverse but 
                united front to those who would reverse the vital 
                progress that has been made. As the world's beacon of 
                hope and freedom, let us approach the new millennium 
                keeping this vigil.

                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 February 1997 as National 
                African American History Month. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of 
                the United States to observe this month with 
                appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that 
                raise awareness of African American history.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-2868
Filed 2-3-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P