 Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you and welcome to the White House. I am delighted to have this opportunity to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Week. Americans of Hispanic descent are rightfully proud of their heritage and I hope this ceremony will draw the entire nation's attention to the contributions of our Hispanic citizens. For too long the contributions of our Hispanic citizens have gone unnoticed and I thought perhaps the best way I could note this occasion would be by reading the proclamation and designating this special week which I signed on August 25th. Let me read directly from it. National Hispanic Heritage Week pays tribute to a rich part of America's cultural tradition offering all Americans a welcome opportunity to recognize the qualities and contributions of Hispanic Americans from earliest colonial times to the present. The dedication to principles of loyalty, patriotism, strong religious faith, and devotion to family displayed by Hispanic Americans is basic to the American way of life. Hispanic Americans have played an important role in the development of our rich cultural heritage and every state has benefited from their influence. They have distinguished themselves in the arts and sciences, education, industry, government, and many other areas of productive endeavor. Indeed, they're a part of all that makes America great. Just as their forefathers sought a dream in the new world, Hispanic Americans have realized their dreams in our great nation and will continue to do so. Their dedication to higher purposes reflects what is best in the American spirit. Through the years, Hispanic American citizens have risen to the call of duty in defense of liberty and freedom. Their bravery is well known and has been demonstrated time and again dating back to the aid rendered by General Bernardo Galvez during the American Revolution. Now, therefore, I and I say my name and so forth in the slogan or the proclamation President of the United States of America do hereby proclaim the week beginning September 11, 1983 as National Hispanic Heritage Week in honor of the Hispanic peoples who have enriched our daily lives, our traditions, and our national strength. Concluding line is in this spirit I ask all of our citizens to reflect on the sense of brotherhood that binds us together as one people. This was a proclamation I was very happy to set my hand to. All over this great land, Hispanic Americans are contributing to our democracy, our economy, and our culture. And today, I'm very pleased to announce another contribution that an American of Hispanic descent will be making to this country. Catherine Ortega, the youngest of nine children, is from New Mexico and the descendant of pioneer families who settled in that state during the 1800s. She is symbolic of the values the Hispanic community represents and I am honored that she is to become a part of this administration. I intend to nominate Catherine Ortega to be the to the post of treasurer of the United States. Catherine is currently serving as Commissioner of the Copyright Royalty Tribunal and was a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business. She's a certified public accountant, served in a number of important capacities in the financial services industry. Of her many achievements, I might mention one in particular as past President and Director of the Santa Ana Bank. She was the first woman President of the California Bank. So you can see that she's being nominated not just because she is Hispanic, but because she is highly qualified. As treasurer of the United States, she will supervise over 5,000 employees, manage a budget of some 220 million dollars, and serve as one of the key people of our management team as Buchanan did before her. I'm delighted by the increased participation of Hispanic Americans in all faces of the political process. Congressman Lujan here is a wonderful model for Hispanic people seeking to become involved in politics. And I'm very proud that my own administration has over 125 Hispanics already in positions and another 20 or 25 who soon will be. We've appointed them to positions that are not just traditionally Hispanic positions. Today you will find Hispanics at the FCC and the CAB and all over government. They offer professionalism and we intend to take advantage of that talent. And I look forward to the Hispanic community's sound values influencing the course of government and our nation. And let me say wholeheartedly nothing is a better influence on America than the strength and decency of the Hispanic family. We need your participation and your beliefs to guide this nation because the hopes and dreams of Hispanic Americans are the same hopes and dreams that founded this country. Become involved and help America become what we all want her to be. I thank you for coming. God bless all of you and now Catherine. President, Mr. Secretary, distinguished guest, it is with a deep sense of joy, pride and gratitude to my president, to my country and my family that I am honored to be selected for nomination as treasure of the United States. The Hispanic tradition of strong devotion to family is evident here today. I called my brothers and sisters three or four days ago to tell them about the event here this morning. There was no doubt in my mind they would be here to share this occasion with me. For our parents taught us and we learned well not only to work together but to help each other and to share and support each other. And so I was very confident that they would be here to share this occasion with me. Since 1928 when my father opened a blacksmith's shop in New Mexico the family has been working together. For at that time my older brothers who were then eight and ten years of age were already helping my father. I have often said I was born a Republican. I am the product of a heritage that teaches strong family devotion a commitment to earning a livelihood by hard work, patience, determination and perseverance. And in this great country of ours it is still possible to achieve upward mobility and success through our economic, social and political systems. And our greatest American treasure is that as a people we recognize the inherent dignity and worth of the individual human being. In leadership and sound economic policies President Reagan has ensured that this national treasure will flourish. That individual women and men can continue to succeed and progress through initiative, resourcefulness and equal economic opportunity. And besides building economic stability the policies of the Reagan administration have strengthened the family values, belief in each other and in God, which makes us the greatest nation in the world. Over the years I have been blessed with many opportunities and challenges. Today President Reagan and Secretary Reagan are presenting the greatest opportunity to prove myself. I accept this challenge and look forward to working with Secretary Reagan and the other fine men and women at the Department of the Treasury. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of President Reagan's administration.