[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56363-56364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23563]



[[Page 56361]]

Vol. 80

Thursday,

No. 180

September 17, 2015

Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 9322--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2015
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 56363]]

                Proclamation 9322 of September 14, 2015

                
National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout our history, our Nation has been enriched by 
                the storied pasts of all who call the United States of 
                America home. America's Hispanic community has woven 
                unique threads into the diverse fabric of our country 
                and played an important role in shaping our national 
                character as a people of limitless possibility. This 
                month, let us honor their distinct heritage while 
                reaffirming our commitment to enabling them to build a 
                future bright with hope and opportunity for themselves, 
                their families, and the country we love.

                Hispanics contribute to our Nation's success in 
                extraordinary ways--they serve in the military and 
                government, attend schools across America, and 
                strengthen the economy. They are the father who works 
                two jobs to give his children a better life, and the 
                mother who ventures out to take a risk and start a 
                business. They are the student--often the first in 
                their family to go to college--who pursues their 
                greatest aspirations through higher education. They are 
                the lawful permanent resident who seeks to naturalize 
                and become a citizen, and the business leader whose 
                loved ones have lived in the United States for 
                generations. Each day, we see the tremendous impact 
                they have on our communities, and they reflect an 
                enduring truth at the heart of our Nation: no matter 
                where you come from or where your roots are, with hard 
                work and perseverance you can make it in America.

                My Administration remains committed to ensuring 
                Hispanics have every opportunity to achieve the 
                American dream. Last year, we approved more than 4,000 
                loans totaling over $1 billion for Hispanic-owned small 
                businesses, helping create jobs and improve local 
                economies. We have invested resources in education and 
                reformed our schools to provide the opportunities every 
                Hispanic student needs to graduate from high school 
                prepared for the future they will inherit. We have also 
                expanded high-quality preschool and early childhood 
                education for our youngest learners in Latino 
                communities, and provided grants and loans to assist 
                tens of thousands of Hispanic young people and adults 
                on their journey toward earning a college degree. The 
                dropout rate for Hispanic students has been cut by more 
                than half since the year 2000, and college enrollment 
                has risen by 45 percent since 2008. Additionally, since 
                I signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the share of 
                Hispanics under 65 without health insurance has fallen 
                by one-third, and in the years ahead I will continue 
                working to address the health disparities that still 
                exist. And we are expanding the cultural, economic, and 
                familial ties that so many Hispanic Americans share 
                with Latin America by entering a new chapter of 
                engagement and cooperation with Cuba.

                The United States has a centuries-old tradition of 
                welcoming immigrants, which has given us a tremendous 
                advantage over the rest of the world. Last year, I took 
                action to fix our broken immigration system within the 
                confines of the law. The policies include offering 
                temporary relief to parents of children who are United 
                States citizens or lawful permanent residents so they 
                could come out of the shadows, get right with the law, 
                and further contribute to America's success while also 
                providing for their loved ones--because as a Nation 
                that values families, we must work together to keep

[[Page 56364]]

                them together. I also took steps to modernize the legal 
                immigration system for families, employers, and 
                workers, and strengthened Federal immigrant integration 
                efforts. I created the White House Task Force on New 
                Americans--a Federal interagency effort focused on 
                strengthening and enhancing our efforts to integrate 
                new Americans and build welcoming communities. And we 
                are working to make sure the millions of individuals 
                who are eligible for citizenship understand the 
                opportunities, rights, and responsibilities that it 
                affords. While these actions make our system better, 
                they are not a permanent fix to our broken immigration 
                system--and that is why I continue to call on the 
                Congress to pass meaningful, comprehensive immigration 
                reform.

                As a Nation, we are bound by our shared ideals. 
                America's Hispanic community has the same dreams, 
                values, trials, and triumphs of people in every corner 
                of our country, and they show the same grit and 
                determination that have carried us forward for 
                centuries. During National Hispanic Heritage Month, let 
                us renew our commitment to honoring the invaluable ways 
                Hispanics contribute to our common goals, to 
                celebrating Hispanic culture, and to working toward a 
                stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous society 
                for all.

                To honor the achievements of Hispanics in America, the 
                Congress by Public Law 100-402, as amended, has 
                authorized and requested the President to issue 
                annually a proclamation designating September 15 
                through October 15 as ``National Hispanic Heritage 
                Month.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                15 through October 15, 2015, as National Hispanic 
                Heritage Month. I call upon public officials, 
                educators, librarians, and all Americans to observe 
                this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-23563
Filed 9-16-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5-P