National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1995

Proclamation 6823 of September 14, 1995

National Hispanic Heritage Month, 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 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.