[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 10723-10724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5418]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 8, 1994]
Presidential Documents
Proclamation 6654 of March 2, 1994
Women's History Month, 1994
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
When author Zora Neale Hurston was growing up in
Eatonville, Florida, at the beginning of the century,
her mother encouraged her to ``jump at the sun''--to
set lofty goals--even if she were not certain to reach
them. In many ways, Zora did ``jump at the sun,''
writing books, articles, and plays that have earned her
a place among America's finest writers and
anthropologists. Her mother's words became a powerful
metaphor for her life, and Zora's brilliant works
reflect the vibrant history of the many women whose
lives she studied.
Zora Neale Hurston might never have imagined that women
would one day have the opportunity to take her mother's
teaching literally. But from Sally Ride to Mae Jemison
to Kathryn Sullivan, astronauts have soared closer to
the sun than most humans ever dreamed. As we celebrate
Women's History Month, 1994, Americans take special
pride in the scope of women's achievements, exemplified
by the daring spirit of these pioneering individuals.
We watched in awe recently as astronaut Sullivan
performed complex repairs on the Hubble space telescope
by the light of the rising sun. And we shared her
happiness as she basked in the love of her family at
the end of a successful mission. From author to
astronaut to able parent, women have embraced a myriad
of challenging roles throughout our Nation's history.
But America has not yet fulfilled its promise of
equality for all people. While more women than ever now
hold public office in our country, more women than ever
must also bear sole responsibility for caring for their
families. We rely on women's knowledge and expertise in
every aspect of life, and yet we as a society fail to
provide many of our families the care and support they
so desperately need. We take satisfaction in knowing
that women have gained equality under the law, but we
must also recognize the ways in which true equality is
still only a dream. Zora's ``sun'' eludes our grasp.
This month, we rededicate ourselves to reaching it.
On this occasion, we celebrate the lives of women too
long missing from our history books. We listen to the
voices of women too long absent from our national
memory. Most important, we look forward to a day when
society need not remind itself to note the
extraordinary accomplishments of women. We dream of a
time when, in passing the lessons of this generation
from teacher to student, from parent to child, we tell
a story of women and men working side by side. We will
say that it took all people, striving together, to
build a just and compassionate world of liberty,
charity, and peace.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-22, has designated
March 1994 as ``Women's History Month'' and has
authorized and requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this occasion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1994
as Women's History Month. I invite all Americans to
observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities, and to remember throughout
the year the rich and varied contributions that women
make to our world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
eighteenth.
(Presidential Sig.)>
[FR Doc. 94-5418
Filed 3-4-94; 12:29 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P
