[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]

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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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