[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 5719-5720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2778]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 22 / Tuesday, February 3, 1998 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 5719]]


                Proclamation 7067 of January 30, 1998

                
National African American History Month, 1998

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                African American history is one of the great human 
                chronicles of all time. It is the story of men and 
                women who, with extraordinary courage and faith, 
                prevailed against centuries of slavery and 
                discrimination to build lives for themselves and their 
                families and to contribute immeasurably to the strength 
                and character of our Nation. It is the story of 
                millions of people who arrived on these shores in 
                chains, yet who had the greatness of heart and spirit 
                to love this country for its possibilities. It is the 
                story of generations of heroes who with their labor, 
                voices, vision, and blood sought to change the essence 
                of our society--our laws, institutions, and attitudes--
                to reflect the fundamental American ideals of freedom, 
                justice, and equality. African American history is 
                ultimately the story of America's struggle to become a 
                more perfect union.

                Each year during the month of February, we focus on a 
                particular aspect of African American history to 
                broaden our knowledge and deepen our appreciation of 
                the countless contributions African Americans have made 
                to the life of our Nation. This year's theme, ``African 
                Americans in Business: The Path Towards Empowerment,'' 
                presents an opportunity not only to celebrate these 
                contributions, but also to build on them.

                Our Nation's system of free enterprise has been a sure 
                path to inclusion and independence for generations of 
                Americans, and today African American entrepreneurs are 
                reaping its many rewards. In every facet of American 
                endeavor, in the fields of health care, law, 
                government, and education; as artists, bankers, 
                scientists, and computer programmers, African Americans 
                are excelling and adding significantly to the strength 
                of our economy. If current trends continue, African 
                Americans will account for nearly 12 percent of the 
                American labor force by the year 2000. And even more 
                promising, according to the most recent data available 
                from the U.S. Census, the number of businesses owned by 
                African Americans has grown at an impressive annual 
                rate and significantly faster than the number of new 
                U.S. businesses overall. These statistics are a 
                testament to the perseverance, hard work, and energy of 
                African Americans and of their enduring faith in the 
                American Dream.

                As we celebrate National African American History 
                Month, let us resolve to build on this record of 
                success. We must ensure that every American shares 
                equal access to a quality education--an education that 
                will offer the knowledge and skills necessary to fill 
                the jobs of the 21st century. We must strive to 
                eradicate every trace of discrimination from our 
                society and the American workplace. And we must work 
                together--government, private industry, community 
                organizations, and concerned citizens--to invest in all 
                our people, providing them with the tools they need to 
                succeed and widening the circle of opportunity.

[[Page 5720]]

                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 1998 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 and appreciation 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-eight, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-second.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 98-2778
Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P