[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 5433-5434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3001]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 6, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 5433]]


                Proclamation 7522 of February 1, 2002

                
National African American History Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During these extraordinary times, America looks forward 
                to new challenges and opportunities with a 
                reinvigorated sense of unity and common purpose. We are 
                a strong and vibrant Nation, thanks to the creativity, 
                fortitude, and resilience of people of every race and 
                background. During National African American History 
                Month, we celebrate the many achievements and 
                contributions made by African Americans to our 
                economic, cultural, spiritual, and political 
                development.

                In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson founded The 
                Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. 
                Through that Association, he began pressing for the 
                establishment of Negro History Week as a way to bring 
                national attention to the accomplishments of African 
                Americans. He hoped to neutralize the apparent 
                distortions in Black history and to provide a more 
                objective and scholarly balance to American and World 
                history.

                Dr. Woodson's dream became a reality in 1926. He chose 
                the second week of February for the observance because 
                of its proximity to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln 
                and Frederick Douglass, two individuals whom Dr. 
                Woodson felt had dramatically affected the lives of 
                African Americans. And in 1976, the Association 
                succeeded in expanding the observance, which then 
                became Black History Month.

                The theme of National African American History Month 
                for 2002 is ``The Color Line Revisited: Is Racism 
                Dead?'' The observance calls our Nation's attention to 
                the continued need to battle racism and to build a 
                society that fully lives up to its democratic ideals. 
                This commitment includes ensuring a high-quality 
                education for all Americans, so that no child is left 
                behind, and challenges us to continue to rebuild and 
                restore our communities, to fight crime and violence, 
                and to pursue equal opportunity and equal justice in 
                every part of our society. At the same time, the United 
                States must look beyond its borders and take an active 
                role in helping to alleviate poverty, stimulate 
                economic growth and trade, enhance democracy, and 
                combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.

                This annual event gives all Americans a chance to 
                recognize and commemorate the global history of people 
                of African descent. As we celebrate National African 
                American History Month, I join with all Americans in 
                celebrating our diverse heritage and culture and 
                continuing our efforts to create a world that is more 
                just, peaceful, and prosperous for all.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim February 2002 as National 
                African American History Month. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, librarians, and all of the people 
                of the United States to observe this month with 
                appropriate programs and activities that highlight and 
                honor the myriad contributions of African Americans.

[[Page 5434]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-3001
Filed 2-5-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P