123STA T . 3 6 3 7PROCL A M AT I O N8 37 0— MA Y 1 , 200 9darknes s ofth e Exclu s i on A ct and J a p anese intern m ent , Asian Ameri - cans and P acific I slanders ha v e persevered, providin g for their families and creating opportunities for their children . Amidst these struggles, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contri b uted in great and significant w a y s to all aspects of society. T hey have created works of literature and art, thrived as American athletes, and prospered in the world of academia. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a vital role in our N ation ’ s economic and techno- logical growth by establishing successful enterprises and pushing the limits of science. They are serving in positions of leadership within the government more now than ever before. And along with all of our great service men and women, they have defended the U nited S tates from threats at home and abroad, serving our Nation with valor. F rom the beaches of the Pacific islands and the C alifornia coast, the grasslands of Central Asia and the bluegrass of K entucky, and from the summits of the H imalayas and the R ocky M ountains, the Asian Amer- ican and Pacific Islander community hails from near and far. This is the story of our more perfect union
that it is diversity itself that en- riches, and is fundamental to, the American story. N OW , THEREFORE, I, B ARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 20 0 9 , as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8370 o fM a y1,2 00 9Nation a lPhys i c al F itn e ss an dSp o r ts M onth ,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation A morning walk in the neighborhood or Saturday game of catch with a child can brighten the day. Simple activities like these also con- tribute to our physical fitness. As the weather warms and invites us outside, I encourage Americans to consider the many simple ways to add physical fitness activities to our lives. Incorporating these habits can put a smile on your face, and it can also improve your long-term health and well-being. This issue deserves our attention because physical activity can help curtail the rise in chronic diseases facing our Nation today. Among children and adolescents, regular physical activity can improve bone health and muscular fitness. Physical activity also helps prevent child- hood obesity, which is a serious threat to our Nation’s health. Among
