Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1994

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Proclamation 6686 of May 9, 1994

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 1994

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The Pacific Ocean is ringed by some of the most
populous, dynamic, and promising countries the world
has ever known. So rapid has the progress been in this
region that the new Pacific community has come to
exemplify the ideals of growth and prosperity. America
is well-placed to play a major role in that thriving
community, not only because of geography and history,
but also because of the leading role that countless
Americans of Asian/Pacific descent play in our diverse
society.

Americans of Asian and Pacific ancestry share twin
heritages--the stimulating cultural legacy of the lands
of their ancestors and the liberty that is the
birthright of every American. Drawing on the values and
customs of their homelands and their expectations of
America's promise, Asian/Pacific Americans have long
helped to advance and enrich our Nation. We can all be
profoundly grateful for their contributions to every
field of human endeavor, from science, law, and
literature to agriculture, commerce, government, and
the arts.

Many of these achievements have been the work of brave
and tireless immigrants who, through determination,
creativity, intelligence, and dedication to American
ideals of freedom and fairness, have added strong
threads to the fabric of America's multicultural
society. As they have built a community of tremendous
talent and breadth, they have helped our country to
usher in this new era of great opportunity and
unlimited hope.

To honor the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans
and to recognize their contributions to our Nation, the
Congress, by Public Law 102-450, has designated the
month of May of each year as ``Asian/Pacific American
Heritage Month.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month
of May 1994, as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
I call upon the people of the United States to observe
this occasion with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
eighteenth.

(Presidential Sig.)>