Special Emphasis Program Observances
Special Emphasis Programs are implemented and observed primarily to ensure that minorities, women, people with various disabilities, and people with various sexual orientations are provided an equal opportunity in employment and program delivery activities. These programs improve the workplace environment by promoting and fostering diversity in the workplace through awareness and educating Census Bureau employees and others to appreciate, value, understand, and celebrate social and cultural similarities and differences.
Several laws, Executive Orders, Public Law, Federal regulations, Presidential Proclamations and orders, and Supreme Court decisions have provided civil rights and Equal Employment Opportunity protections in America. They apply to all Federal employees and provide the statutory basis for the Special Emphasis Program Observances.
The following are Special Emphasis Observances implemented by Public Law or Presidential Proclamation.
Observance: African-American/Black History Month
Month: February
Dates: 2/1-2/29
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Jan 2006
Observance: National Women’s History Month
Month: March
Dates: 3/1-3/31
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Feb 2006
Observance: Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Month: May
Dates: 5/1-5/31
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Apr 2006
Observance: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Month: September - October
Dates: 9/15-10/15
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Sep 2005
Observance: National Disability Employment Awareness
Month: October
Dates: 10/1-10/31
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Sep 2005
Observance: National Native American/Indian Month
Month: November
Dates: 11/1-11/30
Authority: Presidential Proclamation, Nov 2005
Observance: Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Employees (GLOBE) Organization
Month: June
Dates: 6/1-6/30
The Department of Commerce, organized the first Department-wide gay, lesbian or bisexual employee (GLOBE) month in June 1995. Presidential Proclamation or Public Law for GLOBE has not been established, however, GLOBE activities are implemented annually during the month of June.
NOTE: There are several additional Presidential Proclamations issued under the current
Administration that may be grouped as/or considered a part of the Special Emphasis
Program observances. With this in mind, and based on agency budgetary constraints
associated with Special Emphasis Programs, this list is not all inclusive. To review
an all inclusive list of current Presidential Proclamations, please visit the
White House.
