[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 51417-51418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24889]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 22, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 51417]]


                Proclamation 7225 of September 17, 1999

                
National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
                (HBCUs) have provided a crucial avenue to educational 
                and economic advancement for African American youth for 
                more than 150 years. These institutions, dedicated to 
                equality and excellence in higher education, have their 
                roots in a segregated society; their survival in the 
                face of limited financial resources or outside support 
                stood as a beacon of hope for generations of African 
                Americans.

                While our society has changed in the intervening 
                decades, the need for these institutions has not. Our 
                Nation's HBCUs have assisted African American and other 
                students from low-income communities in achieving their 
                educational goals and reaching their full potential, 
                while keeping tuition costs affordable. The vast 
                majority of African Americans with bachelor's degrees 
                in engineering, computer science, life science, 
                business, and mathematics have graduated from one of 
                the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 
                According to the Department of Education's National 
                Center for Educational Statistics, HBCUs conferred 28 
                percent of all bachelor's degrees awarded to African 
                American graduates in 1996, although enrollment at 
                HBCUs constituted only 16 percent of all African 
                American college students.

                In addition to giving students the knowledge and skills 
                they need to succeed in today's challenging global 
                economy, HBCUs also offer students leadership 
                opportunities that build self-confidence, a nurturing 
                learning and social environment, and networks of 
                successful alumni who serve as positive role models and 
                mentors for graduates. Cultural programs and 
                educational outreach to minority- and low-income areas 
                in our Nation help preserve African American heritage 
                and make HBCUs a source of pride and knowledge for the 
                communities they serve.

                By serving the African American community, HBCUs serve 
                all Americans. These institutions embody many of our 
                most deeply cherished values--equality, diversity, 
                opportunity, and hard work. HBCUs prepare talented 
                young men and women to succeed in every sector of our 
                economy. And the alumni of HBCUs have contributed 
                immeasurably to our Nation's success--as scientists, 
                businesspeople, educators, public servants, and so much 
                more. As education and diversity become increasingly 
                important in the 21st century, graduates of HBCUs will 
                continue to be at the vanguard of America's progress.

                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 September 19 through 25, 
                1999, as National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week. I call upon the people of the United 
                States, including government officials, educators, and 
                administrators, to observe this week with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities honoring America's 
                Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their 
                graduates.

[[Page 51418]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventeenth day of September, 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-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-24889
Filed 9-21-99; 9:16 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P