[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8712 of September 15, 2011

National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
From those who trace their roots to America's earliest days to those who
recently came to the United States carrying nothing but hope for a
better life, Hispanics have always been integral to our national story.
As an American family more than 300 million strong, we constitute one
people, sharing sacrifice and prosperity because we know we rise and
fall together. America is a richer and more vibrant country because of
the contributions of Hispanics, and during National Hispanic Heritage
Month, we celebrate the immeasurable impact they have made on our
Nation.
Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country
through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and
service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with
centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural
customs of their community. They are doctors and lawyers, activists and
educators, entrepreneurs and public servants, and brave service members
who defend our way of life at home and abroad.
My Administration is dedicated to ensuring America remains a land of
opportunity for all. Our economic strength depends on the success of
Hispanic families across our country, and I am determined to put workers
of all backgrounds back on the job to rebuild and modernize America,
while helping small businesses grow and creating pathways to employment.
We are also engaging the Hispanic community in public service, improving
educational opportunities, and expanding access to affordable, quality
health care. And we remain committed to fixing our broken immigration
system so it can meet America's 21st century economic and security
needs.
The future of America is inextricably linked to the future of our
Hispanic community. Our country thrives on the diversity and ingenuity
of all our people, and our ability to out-innovate, out-educate, and
out-build the rest of the world will depend greatly on the success of
Hispanics. This month, as we honor their struggles and successes, let us
recommit to ensuring our Nation remains a place big enough and bold
enough to accommodate the dreams and prosperity of all our people.

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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, 2011, as
National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to
observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs
under this year's theme, ``Renewing the American Dream.''
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA