[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 182 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 58959-58960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23999]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 182 / Thursday, September 19, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 58959]]


                Proclamation 7593 of September 13, 2002

                
National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
                are a vital part of our Nation's higher education 
                system. During National Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities Week, we renew our dedication to these 
                institutions and strengthen our commitment to securing 
                educational freedom, opportunity, and access for every 
                American.

                Emerging more than a century ago in a segregated 
                society, our Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities have provided quality education and 
                promoted greater participation by African Americans in 
                every sector of our society. These institutions 
                continue to serve as centers of hope and opportunity, 
                reflecting the belief that every student in America 
                should have access to a college education. While 
                constituting less than 3 percent of America's 
                institutions of higher education, today they enroll 14 
                percent of all African Americans enrolled in colleges 
                or universities.

                These schools represent a source of accomplishment and 
                great pride for both the African-American community and 
                our entire Nation. The various founders of our 
                Historically Black Colleges and Universities understood 
                that high standards and quality instruction would 
                prepare their students to follow their dreams and 
                succeed in life. By opening doors to new academic 
                pursuits, these schools have encouraged and enabled 
                generations of African Americans to reach their full 
                potential.

                America must continue to support these important 
                institutions, because they provide educational 
                opportunities that otherwise might not be available. In 
                1980, Executive Order 12232 established a Federal 
                program to enhance equal opportunity and strengthen the 
                capacity of Historically Black Colleges and 
                Universities to provide excellence in education. My 
                Administration remains committed to this important 
                mission and to making the goal of higher education 
                accessible to our citizens.

                America recognizes and honors the many achievements of 
                Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and their 
                invaluable contributions to our country. They help 
                foster a culture of achievement and create a brighter 
                future for all Americans.

                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 September 15 through 
                September 21, 2002, as National Historically Black 
                Colleges and Universities Week. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, librarians, and citizens of the 
                United States to observe this week with appropriate 
                ceremonies, activities, and programs in order to show 
                our appreciation for these remarkable educational 
                institutions, and to commend the achievements of their 
                talented graduates.

[[Page 58960]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-23999
Filed 9-18-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P