Presidential Documents

50469

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 186

Thursday, September 25, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7024 of September 19, 1997

Minority Enterprise Development Week, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The American economy today is the envy of the world. Since the beginning

of my Administration, our economy has created nearly 13 million new

jobs, unemployment has declined to 4.9 percent, and America has once

again become the world’s leading exporter.

Minority entrepreneurs have played a vital role in this success story. With

their faith in our free enterprise system, their determination to overcome

any barriers to success, their willingness to work long and hard and to

make the most of every opportunity, they epitomize the American cando spirit. They create jobs in communities where jobs are most needed,

and they set a powerful example of achievement for young people seeking

to make the most of their lives.

In the years ahead, these minority business men and business women will

become increasingly important to our Nation’s competitive edge in the global

economy, which will offer great rewards to those who truly understand

life beyond our borders. Because of their racial, linguistic, and cultural

diversity, minority entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to meet the needs

of this dynamic international marketplace.

Recognizing the contributions that minority enterprises make to the social

and economic fabric of our Nation, we must continue to remove any barriers

that prevent talented men and women of every racial and ethnic background

from participating fully in America’s economic mainstream. Working in

partnership, government and private industry must ensure that minorityowned firms have equal access to capital, technical assistance, new markets,

and opportunities for growth. We must attract new entrepreneurs to the

marketplace and encourage existing firms to expand. By doing so, we can

ensure that America’s promise will continue to shine brightly for all our

people.

As we observe Minority Enterprise Development Week, let us honor the

energy, determination, and optimism of our Nation’s minority entrepreneurs,

whose hard work has done so much to help keep America strong, prosperous,

and full of hope for the future.

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 September 21 through

September 27, 1997, as Minority Enterprise Development Week. I call on

all Americans to commemorate this event with appropriate ceremonies and

activities in acknowledgment of the many contributions that minority entrepreneurs bring to our national life.
50470 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Presidential Documents

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day

of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven,

and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred

[FR Doc. 97–25696

Filed 9–24–97; 8:59 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-second.

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