[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9230 of January 30, 2015

National African American History Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For generations, the story of American progress has been shaped by the
inextinguishable beliefs that change is always possible and a brighter
future lies ahead. With tremendous strength and abiding resolve, our
ancestors--some of whom were brought to this land in chains--have woven
their resilient dignity into the fabric of our Nation and taught us that
we are not trapped by the mistakes of history. It was these truths that
found expression as foot soldiers and Freedom Riders sat in and stood
up, marched and agitated for justice and equality. This audacious
movement gave birth to a new era of civil and voting rights, and slowly,
we renewed our commitment to an ideal at the heart of our founding: no
matter who you are, what you look like, how modest your beginnings, or
the circumstances of your birth, you deserve every opportunity to
achieve your God-given potential.
As we mark National African American History Month, we celebrate giants
of the civil rights movement and countless other men and women whose
names are etched in the hearts of their loved ones and the cornerstones
of the country they helped to change. We pause to reflect on our
progress and our history--not only to remember, but also to acknowledge
our unfinished work. We reject the false notion that our challenges lie
only in the past, and we recommit to advancing what has been left
undone.
Brave Americans did not struggle and sacrifice to secure fundamental
rights for themselves and others only to see those rights denied to
their children and grandchildren. Our Nation is still racked with
division and poverty. Too many children live in crumbling neighborhoods,
cycling through substandard schools and being affected by daily violence
in their communities. And Americans of all races have seen their wages
and incomes stagnate while inequality continues to hold back hardworking
families and entire communities.
But the trajectory of our history gives us hope. Today, we stand on the
shoulders of courageous individuals who endured the thumps of billy
clubs, the blasts of fire hoses, and the pain of watching dreams be
deferred and denied. We honor them by investing in those around us and
doing all we can to ensure every American can reach their full
potential. Our country is at its best when everyone is treated fairly
and has the chance to build the future they seek for themselves and
their family. This means providing the opportunity for every person in
America to access a world-class education, safe and affordable housing,
and the job training that will prepare them for the careers of tomorrow.
Like the countless, quiet heroes who worked and bled far from the public
eye, we know that with enough effort, empathy, and perseverance, people
who love their country can change it. Together, we can help our Nation
live up to its immense promise. This month, let us continue that
unending journey toward a more just, more equal, and more perfect Union.

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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 February 2015 as
National African American History Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to
observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA