X94-70811. [No title available]

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X94-70811]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 11, 1994]



 


                  Minority Enterprise Development Week, 1994




               By the President of the United States of America



                                A Proclamation



      Growth and development in the minority business community are 
      crucial to the social fabric, as well as to the overall economy, 
      of this Nation. While racial and ethnic minorities constitute 
      over 26 percent of the total U.S. population--a proportion that 
      is constantly growing--minority citizens continue to be 
      underrepresented in commerce and industry.
      This lack of representation results in losses of opportunities 
      and in losses to the American economy. This can and must be 
      rectified. Every individual has a contribution to make and 
      deserves to participate fully in the public and private sectors 
      of the United States, without regard to racial or ethnic origin.
      Minority business development is an essential element in helping 
      to enable every American to become a full participant in the 
      economic life of our country. Minority entrepreneurs often face 
      tremendous odds on the road to success. However, the assistance 
      and encouragement of our Government is available to all of our 
      citizens. This includes up-to-date information regarding market 
      opportunities, increased capital for business expansion, advice 
      and experience in business management, and recognition of the 
      quality goods and services minority-owned firms can provide.
      Commerce in America is at a watershed: to achieve economic 
      security, we must eliminate old ways of doing business and 
      initiate practices that are inclusive. Discriminatory and 
      exclusionary practices have no place in our Nation. Ours has 
      always been a society comprised of minorities; diversity is our 
      strength. And everyone must be included in this country's 
      economic team.
      We are definitely on the right track, as the economic policies of 
      this Administration have already resulted in renewed economic 
      growth that has generated 3.5 million new private-sector jobs for 
      our citizens. And with the unemployment rates of our minority 
      citizens showing improvement as well, this means we are producing 
      more jobs for those Americans who have too often been excluded 
      from the mainstream of our society. But more remains to be done, 
      and we will need to look to minority businesspeople to become a 
      cornerstone of an urban renaissance, creating even more jobs 
      where we most need them. Minority business development is one 
      place where a small investment can yield tremendous dividends.
      Minority Enterprise Development Week highlights the benefits of 
      commercial and economic expansion for minorities and offers us an 
      opportunity to acknowledge the growing number of successful 
      minority entrepreneurs and to pledge support for continued 
      growth.
      NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United 
      States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
      Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
      the week of October 9 through October 15, 1994, as ``Minority 
      Enterprise Development Week.'' I call on the people of the United 
      States to recognize the contributions that minority-owned 
      businesses make to the well-being of this Nation and to observe 
      this occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 
      August, 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 nineteenth.