Proclamation 5522 --
National Hispanic Heritage Week, 1986
September 10, 1986
By
the President of the United States
of America
A
Proclamation
National
Hispanic Heritage Week provides an opportunity for all Americans to recognize
and celebrate the great and varied contributions Hispanic Americans have made
and continue to make to this country.
As
a Nation of immigrants founded on universal ideals, America's vision of freedom
based on God-given rights embraces all the people of the world. Throughout our
history, we have been fortunate in attracting to our shores immigrants from
every part of the world. Their values, energies, and spirit have enriched America's culture and added to
her dynamism and prosperity.
No
part of our national mosaic better exemplifies this tradition than America's numerous citizens of
Hispanic heritage. Their love of freedom is reflected daily in their abundant
economic, cultural, and political vitality. Their profound religious faith
nourishes the spirit of a Nation whose first principle is the God-given dignity
of the human person. Through hard work Hispanics have done much to contribute
to the betterment of their families and their communities. Many have played
important roles as leaders in American society. Their ties to the nations of Latin America form an important part
of the bond between America and its neighbors to
the South, many of whom are enjoying a renaissance of freedom and democratic
government. The roots of their culture bind us also to democratic Spain and its great cultural
legacy. For all these reasons, we rejoice in the strength and inspiration America derives from its
citizens of Hispanic heritage.
In
recognition of the many achievements of the Hispanic American Community, the
Congress, by Joint Resolution approved September
17, 1968
(Public Law 90 - 498), authorized and requested the President to issue annually
a proclamation designating the week that includes September 15 and 16 as
National Hispanic Heritage Week.
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning September
14, 1986,
as National Hispanic Heritage Week, in recognition of the Hispanic individuals,
families, and communities that enrich our national life. I call upon the people
of the United States, especially the
educational community, to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and
activities.
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in
the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and
eleventh.
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed
with the Office of the Federal Register, 4:34 p.m., September
10, 1986]