National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1996

Proclamation 6919 of September 18, 1996

National Hispanic Heritage Month, 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 the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-first.