[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 188 (Thursday, September 27, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59283-59284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23868]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 188 / Thursday, September 27, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 59283]]


                Proclamation 8869 of September 21, 2012

                
National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The founders of our Nation's first colleges and 
                universities for African Americans shared a fundamental 
                belief that, with the right education, all people can 
                overcome barriers of injustice to achieve their fullest 
                potential. These pioneers understood that education 
                means emancipation--a path to freedom, independence, 
                and success. More than 150 years later, America's 
                Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
                carry forward this proud legacy, and this week, we 
                celebrate the profound impact these places of learning 
                have made on the life of our country.

                For generations, HBCUs have provided students with 
                access to higher education and instilled in them a 
                sense of pride and history. Graduates of these 
                institutions have played an extraordinary role in 
                shaping the progress of our Union by championing 
                equality and changing perspectives through the arts. 
                They have strengthened our Nation by building our 
                economy, teaching our children, healing the sick, and 
                defending America as members of our Armed Forces. 
                Today, HBCUs continue to help move our country forward, 
                cultivating leaders in every area of our society. And 
                with each new HBCU alum, we move closer to achieving 
                our goal of having the highest proportion of college 
                graduates in the world by 2020.

                During National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, as we recognize the immeasurable 
                contributions of these institutions, let us recommit to 
                ensuring they remain cradles of opportunity for the 
                next generation. Let us also reaffirm our belief in the 
                power of progress through education--a belief we share 
                with the visionary leaders who established our HBCUs so 
                many years ago.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 23 through 
                September 29, 2012, as National Historically Black 
                Colleges and Universities Week. I call upon educators, 
                public officials, professional organizations, 
                corporations, and all Americans to observe this week 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities 
                that acknowledge the countless contributions these 
                institutions and their alumni have made to our country.

[[Page 59284]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-23868
Filed 9-26-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P