National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2013

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 181

September 18, 2013

Part II

The President

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Proclamation 9016--National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2013

Proclamation 9017--National Farm Safety and Health Week, 2013

Proclamation 9018--National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, 2013

/ Presidential Documents

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9016 of September 13, 2013

National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From the earliest days of our Republic, Hispanic
Americans have written crucial chapters in our national
story. Hispanics have honorably defended our country in
war and built prosperity during times of peace. They
run successful businesses, teach our next generation of
leaders, and pioneer scientific and technological
breakthroughs. This month, America acknowledges these
vital contributions and celebrates our Hispanic
heritage.

Hispanic Americans represent an array of distinct and
vibrant cultures, each of which enriches communities in
valuable ways. Just as America embraces a rich blend of
backgrounds, those who journey to our shores embrace
America. Sharing the dream of equality and boundless
opportunity, many Hispanics have marched for social
justice and helped advance America's journey toward a
more perfect Union. Last year, I was proud to establish
the C[eacute]sar E. Ch[aacute]vez National Monument in
honor of an American hero, a man who reminded us that
every life has value, that together, those who
recognize their common humanity have the power to shape
a better world.

As C[eacute]sar Ch[aacute]vez's example teaches us, we
must never scale back our dreams. My Administration
remains committed to building a rising, thriving middle
class, a middle class accessible to the Hispanic
community and to all Americans. As we continue to
implement the Affordable Care Act, more than 10 million
uninsured Latinos will gain access to coverage. To
reduce health disparities, my Administration will work
to educate, engage, and enrolle Hispanic Americans in
the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Last year, we lifted the shadow of deportation off
young people who are American in every way but on
paper. Today, I am as determined as ever to pass
commonsense immigration reform--reform that helps
American workers get a fairer deal, adds more than one
trillion dollars to our economy, and provides a pathway
to earned citizenship. A bipartisan bill consistent
with these principles has already passed the Senate,
and a growing coalition of Republicans and Democrats is
calling for action.

Whether our ancestors crossed the Atlantic in 1790 or
the Rio Grande in 1970, Americans are bound by a set of
common values--a love of liberty and justice, the
belief that a better life should await anyone willing
to work for it. As we celebrate the unique influences
of Hispanic cultures during National Hispanic Heritage
Month, let us also rededicate ourselves to realizing
our shared aspirations.

To honor the achievements of Hispanics in America, 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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
15 through October 15, 2013, as National Hispanic
Heritage Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, librarians, and all Americans to observe
this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.