[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1993)]
[Pages 1770-1771]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6592--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1993

 September 15, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    One of our Nation's greatest strengths is its vast diversity. The 
mosaic of races, ethnicities, and religious groups that comprise America 
provides us with a powerful energy and an ability to see the world from 
many viewpoints. Since our country's inception, Hispanic Americans have 
always been an integral part of this great mosaic. Indeed the history, 
culture, and traditions of America are greatly influenced by the 
contributions of those individuals who have their origins in Spain and 
Latin America.
    While the impact of the Hispanic culture is manifest in our Nation's 
customs and traditions, this legacy continues on beyond the pages of 
history. Today, Hispanic Americans continue to make important 
contributions to our society. It would be impossible to think of 
American Government, business, industry, Armed Forces, agriculture, 
science, sports, and the arts without noting the presence and full 
participation of Hispanic Americans. Ellen Ochoa, who has served America 
proudly as our first Hispanic woman astronaut; Cesar Chavez, whose 
lifelong passion and commitment uplifted the lives of millions of 
agricultural workers; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry 
Cisneros and Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena; Master Sergeant 
Roy P. Benavidez, who won the Medal of Honor for his service in Vietnam; 
and millions of other Hispanic Americans whose hard work keeps our 
Nation moving--all of these patriotic Americans draw their heritage from 
the rich Hispanic culture.
    Many of the traditions that Americans hold so dear are deeply rooted 
in the Hispanic American values of a strong sense of family, devotion to 
religious beliefs, and dedication to liberty and democracy. Committed 
dearly to these precious ideals, Hispanic Americans are helping all of 
us to uphold the legacy of our democratic society.
    America is an ongoing experiment--an unfinished work. There is much 
for all of us still to accomplish in order to ensure a brighter and more 
peaceful world for our children. I know that Hispanic Americans, always 
conscious of the traditions of their forebears, will continue to work 
with Americans of every racial, religious, and ethnic background to 
confront our Nation's health, housing, educational, and human rights 
concerns. The principles that are such a part of the Hispanic American 
tradition will serve all of our people well as we strive to address the 
challenges that the future holds for us.
    To commemorate the Hispanic American contributions to our Nation, 
the Congress, by Public Law 90-498 of September 17, 1968, as amended, 
has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a 
proclamation designating the month begin- 

[[Page 1771]]

ning September 15 and ending October 15 as ``National Hispanic Heritage 
Month.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim the month beginning September 15, 
1993, and ending October 15, 1993, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. 
I call upon 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 fifteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and eighteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:57 p.m., September 15, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 17.