Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 3.djvu/1264

 98 STAT. 3636

PROCLAMATION 5240—OCT. 3, 1984

merit of the Nation. These institutions have a rich heritage and tradition of providing the challenging higher education so essential to an individual's full participation in our complex technological society. Historically black colleges and universities bestow forty percent of all degrees earned by black students. They have awarded degrees to eighty-five percent of the country's black lawyers and doctors and fifty percent of its black business executives. Throughout the years, these institutions have helped many underprivileged students to attain their full potential through higher education.

Ante, p. 1584.

In recognition of the fact that the achievements and goals of these historically black colleges and imiversities deserve national attention, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 340, has designated the week of September 23, 1984, as "National Historically Black Colleges Week" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of September 23, 1984, as National Historically Black Colleges Week. I urge all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities to express our respect and appreciation for the outstanding academic and social accomplishments of the Nation's black institutions of higher learning. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of oiir Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and ninth. RONALD REAGAN Editorial note: For the President's remarks of Sept. 24, 1984, on signing Proclamation 5239, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents [vol. 20, p. 1360).

Proclamation 5240 of October 3, 1984

National Community Leadership Week, 1984 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Local communities form the foundation of our Nation. Our Federal system of government is based on the determination of the people of the United States to govern themselves, to the extent possible, in small entities capable of responding quickly and effectively to particular community values and needs. Qualified and well-trained leadership at all levels of government, but particularly in our local communities, is essential to the maintenance and strengthening of our democratic institutions. Throughout the United States, many communities have established programs to help citizens identify and discharge the responsibilities involved in leadership positions assumed in their own communities. These programs have produced thousands of talented and well-trained local leaders who are aware of the unique problems confronting their communities and are well-prepared to devise innovative solutions for those problems.

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