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 Proclamations Proc. 7338 tion. Devoted to family, faith, country, and hard work, they bring unique perspectives and experiences to our national community and character. The vibrant Hispanic influence can be seen in all aspects of American life and culture, from distinctive cuisine to colorful festivals, and from the rhythms and melodies of traditional music to the contagious beat of today's most popular songs. Throughout our Nation, Hispanic men and women have distinguished themselves in every endeavor and, with our cultural and linguistic ties to our trading partners throughout the Western Hemi- sphere, Hispanic Americans are crucial to maintaining our Nation's com- petitiveness and prosperity in the global economy of the 21st century. Not long ago I had the privilege of awarding the Presidential Medal of Free- dom, our Nation's highest civilian honor, to Cruz Reynoso, a man who has devoted his life to promoting civil rights and championing equal oppor- tunity for all our people. A son of Mexican immigrants, he has lived the American Dream, going to college and working his way up to become the first Hispanic American to serve on the California Supreme Court. A force for positive social change in our Nation, he is lust one of many talented Hispanic Americans enriching our national life. Cruz Reynoso's success underscores what we already know: education and equal opportunity are the keys to ensuring that people of Hispanic heritage can take full advantage of America's promise. My Administration has fo- cused on improving educational opportunities for Hispanic children through the Hispanic Education Action Plan, as well as by reducing class sizes across our Nation, greatly expanding the Head Start program, working to turn around failing schools, and making college more affordable through tax incentives and scholarships. By expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, raising the minimum wage, and moving people from welfare to work, my Administration has also helped expand economic opportunity for Hispanic American working families. We have brought the Hispanic unem- ployment rate to its lowest level on record and the Hispanic poverty rate to a 20-year low. We have also worked hard to create an Administration that truly reflects America, with the most Hispanic appointees and the most Hispanic iudicial nominees in our Nation's history. Even as Hispanic Americans grow in number and influence in our country, they have not forgotten their roots; they have not forgotten the pain of dis- crimination, of being ignored or left behind. Instead, millions of courageous and compassionate Hispanic men and women across our country are work- ing to create a lust and equal society, uniting around a firm commitment to build One America in this new century. In honor of the many contributions that Hispanic Americans have made and continue to make to our Nation and culture, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402, has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September \1775 through October \1775 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month." NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM }. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September \1775 through October \1775, 2000, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. \17737

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