[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 37 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[Pages 1562-1563]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6823--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1995

September 14, 1995

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America has always drawn strength from the extraordinary diversity 
of its people. The earliest settlers came to this great land seeking 
opportunity, bringing with them an abundant wealth of traditions from 
countries the world over. Thus the vibrant Hispanic culture has long 
been entwined with our Nation's heritage, and people of Latin American 
and Spanish ancestry have infused our national life with energy and 
vision. In the arts, the sciences, the business world, academia, and 
government, Hispanic Americans have added immeasurably to our progress.
    Later this month, I will proudly bestow on the late Willie Velasquez 
our Nation's highest

[[Page 1563]]

civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His landmark work to 
register Hispanic voters helped to bring these Americans into the 
mainstream of American public life, and the Southwest Voter Registration 
Education Project that he founded continues to thrive today.
    Last year, I was pleased to sign an Executive order creating the 
President's Advisory Commission and White House Initiative on 
Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Recognizing the vital 
importance of providing every one of our children with fundamental 
knowledge and skills, the Commission was charged with creating an agenda 
to increase educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans.
    Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new century, we look to the 
outstanding contributions of Hispanic Americans for inspiration and 
leadership. Let us join in support of Hispanic children and families as 
they strive to fulfill the American Dream.
    To pay tribute to the achievements of Hispanic citizens and to honor 
the importance of Latin American and Spanish traditions in our national 
culture, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402, has authorized and 
requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating 
September 15 through October 15 as ``National Hispanic Heritage Month.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 
1995, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon government 
officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to honor 
this observance with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, 
and encourage all Americans to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of 
equality.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and twentieth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:59 a.m., September 
15, 1995]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 18.