[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 2003)]
[Pages 1241-1242]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7706--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2003

September 17, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America's diversity has always been a great strength of our Nation. 
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize and 
applaud the extraordinary accomplishments of Hispanic Americans.
    From America's beginning, Hispanic Americans have served as leaders 
in business, government, law, science, athletics, the arts, and many 
other fields. In 1822, Joseph Marion Hernandez became the first Hispanic 
to serve as a member of the United States Congress, representing the 
newly established territory of Florida. Businessman Roberto Goizueta, a 
refugee from Cuba who rose to become the CEO of one of America's largest 
corporations, is an inspiring example of what immigrants to America can 
achieve through hard work and character. Presidential Medal of Freedom 
recipient Roberto Clemente's athletic skills, generosity, and charity 
made him a legend on and off the baseball field. Through memorable 
recordings and performances, singer Celia Cruz celebrated her heritage 
and helped introduce salsa music to the United States.
    Hispanic Americans have sacrificed in defense of this Nation's 
freedom, serving in every major American conflict. More than three dozen 
Hispanic Americans have earned the Medal of Honor. Today, more than 
125,000 Hispanic Americans serve in the Armed Forces, approximately 9 
percent of our active-duty military. As we work to advance peace, 
freedom, and opportunity abroad, we are grateful to all of the brave men 
and women who serve our Nation, and to their families.
    During Hispanic Heritage Month, I join with all Americans in 
recognizing the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United 
States, and in celebrating Hispanic

[[Page 1242]]

heritage and culture. To honor the achievements of Hispanic Americans, 
the Congress, by Public Law 100-402 as amended, 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, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 2003, as 
National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon public officials, 
educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to 
observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
programs.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth 
day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:38 a.m., September 
22, 2003]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on September 18, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on September 23. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language version of this proclamation.