[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 38 (Monday, September 27, 1993)]
[Page 1833]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6594--National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
Week, 1993

 September 21, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities have long 
been a beacon of hope, a door to advancement, and a source of pride for 
African Americans. Founded upon a commitment to equal opportunity and 
academic excellence, these distinguished institutions have enabled 
thousands of people to receive a quality education and to pursue 
distinguished careers in fields such as education, law, medicine, 
business, the arts, engineering, and the military.
    Historically Black colleges and universities once offered African 
Americans their best, and often only, opportunities for higher 
education. Fortunately, the courts have now struck down legal barriers 
that forced the creation of separate schools for African Americans. Yet 
historically Black colleges and universities continue to play a vital 
role by adding to the diversity and caliber of the Nation's higher 
education system. Furthermore, these institutions remind all Americans 
of our obligation to uphold the principles of justice and equality 
enshrined in our Constitution.
    By an Executive order issued on April 28, 1989, the President's 
Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities was 
established to advise the President and the Secretary of Education on 
strengthening these valued institutions. The Executive order directed 
Federal agencies to devise ways to increase the ability of historically 
Black colleges and universities to participate in Federally funded 
programs. It also underscored the importance of increasing private 
sector support for these schools through such devices and activities as 
matching funds programs, management assistance, technical development, 
and curriculum planning.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, and in recognition of the 
rich heritage and prominent role in our country of historically Black 
colleges and universities, and of the many contributions these 
institutions and their graduates have made to our society, do hereby 
proclaim the period beginning September 19, 1993, and ending September 
25, 1993, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. 
I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate 
programs, ceremonies, and activities as an expression of their support 
for these important educational institutions.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 
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, 2:49 p.m., September 22, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 24.