123STA T . 3 698PROCL A M AT I O N 8 4 1 7— S E PT. 1 5, 2 0 09 promiseand a ch ie v emen t o f the V io l ence Ag ainst W omen Act , o u r N a - tion stands united in its determination to end these crimes and help those in need . N O W, THER E F ORE, I , B ARA CK OBA M A, P resident of the U nited S tates of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and la w s of the United States, do hereby proclaim the Fif- teenth Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. I call upon men and women of all ages, communities, organi z ations, and all levels of government, to wor k in collaboration to end violence against women. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8417 o fSep tem b er1 5,20 0 9Nation a lH i sp ani c H er ita g e M ont h,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 The story of Hispanics in America is the story of America itself. The Hispanic community ’ s values — love of family, a deep and abiding faith, and a strong work ethic—are America’s values. Hispanics bring to- gether the rich traditions of communities with centuries-old roots in America and the energy and drive of recent immigrants. Many have taken great risks to begin a new life in the hopes of achieving a better future for themselves and their families. Hispanics have played a vital role in the moments and movements that have shaped our country. They have enriched our culture and brought creativity and innovation to everything from sports to the sciences and from the arts to our economy. Hispanics have served with honor and distinction in every conflict since the Revolutionary War, and they have made invaluable contribu- tions through their service to our country. They lead corporations and not-for-profits, and social movements and places of learning. They serve in government at every level from school boards to statehouses, and from city councils to Congress. And for the first time in our Na- tion’s history, a Latina is seated among the nine J ustices of the Su- preme Court of the United States. As Hispanics continue to enrich our Nation’s character and shape our common future, they strengthen America’s promise and affirm the nar- rative of American unity and progress. To honor the achievements of Hispanics in America, the Congress, by Public Law 10 0 –4 0 2 , as amended, has authorized and re q uested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September 1 5 through October 15 as ‘ ‘National Hispanic Heritage Month.’’
