[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 38 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Pages 1792-1793]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6919--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1996

September 18, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    America draws strength from the extraordinary diversity of its 
people. Our national character is enhanced by citizens who maintain and 
honor cultural customs brought from other lands. Hispanics, who have 
long been part of this tradition, were the earliest European settlers of 
this great Nation, with the Spanish founding cities in Florida in the 
1500's, and Mexicans establishing homesteads in the Southwest in the 
1600's. Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens in 1917, and other Latinos 
over the years, including Cubans and Central Americans, came to the 
United States in search of democracy, freedom, and a better way of life.
    Hispanics, who are of all races, distinguish themselves as a 
community by fostering connections rooted in the Spanish language. Their 
diverse and vibrant culture includes elements originating in Spain, 
North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. 
Hispanics share deep family values, recognize their obligations to the 
less fortunate of our society, protect their children, cherish freedom, 
and fulfill their patriotic duty to defend their country.
    Earlier this month, I awarded our Nation's highest civilian honor, 
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Dr. Antonia Pantoja. Dr. Pantoja 
has inspired generations of Latino youth to ``dare to dream.'' Believing 
that hard work can overcome any obstacle, she went from factory worker 
to college professor and has dedicated her life to bringing educational 
and economic opportunities to the Puerto Rican community.
    Sadly, we recently lost one of our great countrymen, Dr. Hector P. 
Garcia of Corpus Christi, Texas. A member of the U.S. Commission on 
Civil Rights and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he is 
best remembered for his service to the Latino community, founding the 
American GI Forum to defend the civil rights of Hispanic veterans and 
organizing one of the first civil rights marches in the 1940's.
    Many other Hispanic sons and daughters have served our country with 
distinction, making important contributions in the arts and sciences, 
the business world, academia, government, agriculture, and the Armed 
Forces. Helping to preserve the democracy and freedom all Americans 
enjoy, Hispanics have served in the United States Armed Forces in 
proportions much larger than their percentage of the population. Since 
World War I, our Nation has awarded the Medal of Honor, our highest 
military honor, to more Latinos than any other ethnic group.
    Today, let us honor Hispanics for their example of community and 
patriotism, and for the richness of their contribution to this great 
land.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 
1996, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon all government 
officials, educators, and 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 eighteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, 
and of the Independence of

[[Page 1793]]

the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:40 a.m., September 
19, 1996]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 20.