[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 35361-35362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16911]



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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7453--Black Music Month, 2001



Notice of June 30, 2001--Continuation of Emergency With Respect to the 
Taliban
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 128 / Tuesday, July 3, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 35361]]

                Proclamation 7453 of June 29, 2001

                
Black Music Month, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's rich musical heritage reflects the diversity 
                of our people. Among many influences, the cultural 
                traditions brought to this land from Africa more than 
                four centuries ago and the remarkable musical 
                achievements of African Americans since then have 
                strongly and unmistakably improved the sound of 
                American music.

                From historical burdens such as slavery and injustice 
                to the celebration of faith, much of the origin of 
                African-American music reflects our national story. The 
                work songs, shouts and hollers, spirituals, and ragtime 
                of an earlier era laid the creative foundation for many 
                of America's most distinctive and popular musical 
                genres. These include rhythm and blues, jazz, hip hop, 
                gospel, rap, and the roots of rock and roll.

                Jazz, often called America's classical music, so 
                influenced our culture that Americans named a decade 
                after it. Like the country of its birth, jazz blends 
                many traditions, such as African-American folk, rhythm 
                and blues, French Creole classical form, and gospel. 
                Through the creation and performance of music like 
                jazz, black Americans were better able to exchange 
                ideas freely across racial and cultural barriers. 
                Before our Nation made significant strides in truly 
                promoting equal justice and opportunity for all, black 
                and white musicians in the genres of jazz, blues, and 
                country played together in jam sessions, recording 
                studios, and small bands. In many ways, their art 
                preceded social change, allowing black and white 
                musicians to meet as equals and to be judged on their 
                musical ability, rather than the color of their skin. 
                Their music also provided an outlet for African 
                Americans to speak passionately and brilliantly to the 
                rest of the Nation and the world.

                From New Orleans and the back roads of the Mississippi 
                Delta to Harlem and Chicago, black musicians set 
                enduring and distinctive standards for American 
                creativity. The blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, 
                the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of Duke 
                Ellington, and the soul of Marvin Gaye claim fans of 
                all ages from around the world. The trumpeting genius 
                of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie illustrate the 
                exceptional musicianship so prominent in various genres 
                of African-American music.

                The career of Marian Anderson, the world-class 
                contralto who was denied permission to sing in 
                Constitution Hall because of her race, symbolizes the 
                achievements of so many black American musicians. 
                Performing instead at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, she 
                drew an audience of 75,000 and inspired the world not 
                only with her rich musical gifts, but also with her 
                determination and courage.

                The music of Marian Anderson and other African-American 
                artists has greatly enriched our quality of life and 
                created one of our Nation's most treasured art forms. 
                As universal and original expressions of the human 
                experience, their body of work, both past and present, 
                entertains, inspires, and thrills countless people 
                around the world.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution

[[Page 35362]]

                and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
                June 2001, as Black Music Month. I encourage all 
                Americans to learn more about the contributions of 
                black artists to America's musical heritage and to 
                celebrate their remarkable role in shaping our history 
                and culture.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-16911
Filed 07-02-01; 10:54 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P