    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 19 (Monday, May 16, 1994)]
    [Pages 1032-1033]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 6686--Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1994

    May 9, 1994

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

        The Pacific Ocean is ringed by some of the most populous, dynamic,
    and promising countries the world has ever known. So rapid has the
    progress been in this region that the new Pacific community has come to
    exemplify the ideals of growth and prosperity. America is well-placed to
    play a major role in that thriving community, not only because of
    geography and history, but also because of the leading role that
    countless Americans of Asian/Pacific descent play in our diverse
    society.
        Americans of Asian and Pacific ancestry share twin heritages--the
    stimulating cultural legacy of the lands of their ancestors and the
    liberty that is the birthright of every American. Drawing on the values
    and customs of their homelands and their expectations of America's
    promise, Asian/Pacific Americans have long helped to advance and enrich
    our Nation. We can all be profoundly grateful for their contributions to
    every field of human endeavor, from science, law, and literature to
    agriculture, commerce, government, and the arts.
        Many of these achievements have been the work of brave and tireless
    immigrants who, through determination, creativity, intelligence, and
    dedication to American ideals of freedom and fairness, have added strong
    threads to the fabric of America's multicultural society. As they have
    built a community of tremendous talent and breadth, they have helped our
    country to usher in this new era of great opportunity and unlimited
    hope.
        To honor the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans and to
    recognize their contributions to our Nation, the Congress, by Public Law
    102-450, has designated the month of May of each year as ``Asian/Pacific
    American Heritage Month.''
        Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United
    States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of May 1994, as Asian/
    Pacific American Heritage Month. I call upon the people of the United
    States to observe this occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
    and activities.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
    May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, 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, 11:02 a.m., May 10,
    1994]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 11.

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