[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 24275-24276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11475]



[[Page 24273]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7189--Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1999



Proclamation 7190--Older Americans Month, 1999



Proclamation 7191--Law Day, U.S.A., 1999



Proclamation 7192--Loyalty Day, 1999
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 5, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 24275]]

                Proclamation 7189 of April 30, 1999

                
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Seeking America's bright promise of freedom and 
                fairness, millions of men and women of Asian and 
                Pacific descent have immigrated to our Nation through 
                the past 2 centuries to participate in our great 
                experiment in democracy. Although they left behind 
                their native lands and many of their loved ones, they 
                carried in their hearts a rich and ancient history and 
                a proud heritage.

                Throughout the decades, the principles and cherished 
                traditions of Asian and Pacific Americans have infused 
                our way of life, and their diligence and determination 
                have helped build and sustain our Nation. Asian 
                immigrants and indigenous U.S. Pacific Islanders have 
                made contributions to every facet of American life. Yet 
                all too often, Asian immigrants and Pacific Islanders 
                had to endure discrimination as our society struggled 
                with its growing diversity. Overcoming prejudice and 
                other hardships, these determined men and women have 
                strengthened our society, our economy, and our national 
                character in the process.

                Asian and Pacific Americans today continue to make 
                substantial contributions to our country and our 
                culture, and this year's theme, ``Celebrating Our 
                Legacy,'' calls on us to recognize our common human 
                spirit. Scientists and researchers like David Ho 
                untangle the mysteries of human biology; astronauts 
                like Kalpana Chawla explore the heavens; human rights 
                activists like Dith Pran inspire us with their courage 
                and conviction; athletes like Michele Kwan dazzle us 
                with their grace and endurance; and inspiring leaders 
                like Daniel Inouye and Bill Lann Lee fight for justice 
                and equality for all our people. These sons and 
                daughters of Vietnam, India, China, Korea, Japan, 
                Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, Thailand, and many 
                other nations, as well as the islands of Guam, American 
                Samoa, and Hawaii, have enriched every aspect of our 
                society with their talents, intellect, and 
                determination.

                While our Nation has made enormous strides on the path 
                to full equality and inclusion, our work is far from 
                finished. My Administration has strived to empower the 
                Asian and Pacific American community by working to 
                strengthen our economy, enforce our civil rights laws, 
                invest in health and education, and promote racial 
                reconciliation. Thanks in part to our economic 
                initiatives, the median household income for Asian and 
                Pacific Americans has significantly increased since 
                1993, while the poverty rate has declined by more than 
                8 percent. We have launched a new initiative to end 
                racial and ethnic health disparities, and we 
                established the first-ever Office of Minority Health 
                Research and Alternative Medicine at the National 
                Institutes of Health. Working to renew our commitment 
                to excellence in education, my Administration also has 
                secured a 35 percent increase in funding for bilingual 
                and immigrant education.

                To honor the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific 
                Americans and to recognize their many contributions to 
                our Nation, the Congress, by Public Law 102-450, has 
                designated the month of May as ``Asian/Pacific American 
                Heritage Month.''

[[Page 24276]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1999 
                as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. I call upon 
                the people of the United States to observe this 
                occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-11475
Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P