[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 38 (Monday, September 26, 1994)]
[Pages 1811-1812]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6722--National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
Week, 1994

September 20, 1994

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    From Spelman to Fayetteville State, from Talladega to Texas 
Southern, historically black colleges and universities continue to play 
an essential role in our Nation's heritage.

[[Page 1812]]

For too many years in America, these schools were the only institutions 
of higher learning open to young African Americans. With their steadfast 
dedication to excellence in education, these proud schools help to 
nurture our country's greatest resource--the intelligence and 
imagination of our youth.
    Historically black colleges and universities quickly earned 
distinguished reputations, both for the quality of their scholarship and 
for their commitment to guaranteeing equal opportunity for all. Their 
invaluable contributions are evident in the countless students, past and 
present, who have benefitted from the rich educational experience these 
institutions provide. Their graduates have become accomplished 
participants in every aspect of society, have raised new generations to 
respect the values of knowledge and discovery, and, with the unique 
perspective of their schooling, have immeasurably enriched the lives of 
their communities and of our entire Nation.
    As we pause this year to recognize the continuing importance of 
these outstanding schools, we have new cause for optimism that such 
academic communities will remain vibrant and enduring leaders in 
American education. On November 1, 1993, I was proud to sign an 
Executive Order committing greater Federal attention to strengthening 
historically black colleges and universities. This order establishes a 
commission comprised of representatives from those schools, along with 
business leaders and other educational officials. Guided by the high 
standards set by our Goals 2000: Educate America Act, this commission 
will explore new ways to enhance the infrastructure of these 
institutions and to facilitate future planning and development. Working 
together, we can prepare these colleges and universities, some of 
America's finest, to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and 
beyond.
    To heighten awareness of that crucial goal and to recognize the 
critical role that historically black colleges and universities have 
played in the lives of African Americans throughout the land, the 
Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 21, has designated the week 
beginning September 18, 1994, as ``National Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities Week'' and has authorized and requested the President 
to issue a proclamation in observance of this commemoration.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of September 18 through 
September 24, 1994, as National Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities Week. I call upon the people of the United States, 
including government officials, educators, and volunteers, to observe 
this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 
of September, 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 nineteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 3:02 p.m., September 22, 
1994]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 26.