National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2006

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part III

The President

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Proclamation 8049--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2006

Proclamation 8050--Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution
Week, 2006

Proclamation 8051--National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2006

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8049 of September 14, 2006

National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans are a diverse people, yet we are bound by
common principles that teach us what it means to be
American citizens. During National Hispanic Heritage
Month, we recognize the many contributions of Hispanic
Americans to our country.

Through hard work, faith in God, and a deep love of
family, Hispanic Americans have pursued their dreams
and contributed to the strength and vitality of our
Nation. They have enriched the American experience and
excelled in business, law, politics, education,
community service, the arts, science, and many other
fields. Hispanic entrepreneurs are also helping build a
better, more hopeful future for all by creating jobs
across our country. The number of Hispanic-owned
businesses is growing at three times the national rate,
and increasing numbers of Hispanic Americans own their
own homes. We continue to benefit from a rich Hispanic
culture and we are a stronger country because of the
talent and creativity of the many Hispanic Americans
who have shaped our society.

Throughout our history, Hispanic Americans have also
shown their devotion to our country in their military
service. Citizens of Hispanic descent have fought in
every war since our founding and have taken their
rightful place as heroes in our Nation's history.
Today, Americans of Hispanic descent are serving in our
Armed Forces with courage and honor, and their efforts
are helping make America more secure and bringing
freedom to people around the world.

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we
applaud the accomplishments of Hispanic Americans and
recognize the contributions they make to our great
land. 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, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 15 through
October 15, 2006, 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
fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.