[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25825-25826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11141]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 3, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 25825]]


                Proclamation 7299 of April 29, 2000

                
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over the last two centuries, Asian Americans and 
                Pacific Islanders have contributed immeasurably to the 
                richness of our dynamic, multicultural society. Whether 
                recent immigrants or descendants of families who have 
                been here for generations, Asian Americans and Pacific 
                Islanders embody many of our Nation's core values, 
                including devotion to family, commitment to hard work, 
                and pride in their heritage.

                The people of this diverse and rapidly growing 
                community have contributed to every aspect of our 
                national life--from engineering and computer science to 
                government, the arts, and sports. For example, Vinod 
                Dahm helped to revolutionize computer technology 
                through the invention of the pentium chip. Governors 
                Benjamin Cayetano of Hawaii and Gary Locke of 
                Washington have devoted their lives to public service. 
                The talents of novelist Amy Tan have delighted readers 
                across our Nation, while architect and sculptor Maya 
                Lin's stirring memorials to the Vietnam War and the 
                Civil Rights Movement have uplifted and inspired all 
                who have experienced them. And diver Greg Louganis and 
                football star Junior Seau have thrilled sports fans 
                everywhere with their skill and athleticism.

                While many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders today 
                are thriving, others are still struggling to overcome 
                obstacles. Because of oppression in their countries of 
                origin, some new immigrants have arrived without having 
                completed their education; once here, some have 
                encountered language and cultural barriers and 
                discrimination. Pacific Islanders, too, must overcome 
                barriers to opportunity caused by their geographic 
                isolation and the consequences of Western influences on 
                their unique culture. For these and other reasons, too 
                many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face low-
                paying jobs, inadequate health care, and lack of 
                educational opportunity.

                To assist this community in meeting these challenges, 
                last June I signed an Executive order establishing the 
                White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific 
                Islanders. The Initiative's goal is to improve the 
                quality of life for Asian Americans and Pacific 
                Islanders by increasing their participation in Federal 
                programs--including health, human services, education, 
                housing, labor, transportation, economic, and community 
                development programs--which may not have served them in 
                the past.

                My Administration remains dedicated to building an 
                America that celebrates and draws strength from its 
                diversity. Let us use this month to reflect on the many 
                gifts Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have 
                brought to our nation and embrace the contributions 
                that Americans of all backgrounds make to our 
                increasingly multicultural society.

                To honor the accomplishments of Asian Americans and 
                Pacific Islanders 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.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 2000 
                as Asian/Pacific American Heritage

[[Page 25826]]

                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 
                twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-11141
Filed 5-2-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P