[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 31, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 4613-4614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-455]



[[Page 4611]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8103--National African American History Month, 2007
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 20 / Wednesday, January 31, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8103 of January 26, 2007

                
National African American History Month, 2007

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                African Americans have been an integral part of America 
                for generations, and our Nation is stronger because of 
                their contributions. During National African American 
                History Month, we honor the achievements of African 
                Americans and recognize our continued responsibility to 
                strive for equality for all our citizens.

                With grace and determination, African-American men and 
                women have shaped our Nation and influenced American 
                life. Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Rosa Parks, 
                and Martin Luther King, Jr., advanced the cause of 
                civil rights for all Americans and helped change the 
                course of American history. Educators Booker T. 
                Washington and Carter G. Woodson helped break down 
                racial barriers in education to provide opportunity for 
                all people. Americans have benefited from the 
                achievements of scientists like George Washington 
                Carver. Artists such as Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, 
                and Louis Armstrong inspired Americans and created some 
                of the most celebrated music this Nation has ever 
                produced.

                The theme of this year's National African American 
                History Month, ``From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in 
                the Americas,'' recalls African Americans' long journey 
                to justice and commemorates the courage and persistence 
                of the heroes who called on our Nation to live up to 
                its founding promise. A century after African-American 
                soldiers fought for their freedom on the battlefields 
                of the Civil War, African Americans struggled 
                peacefully for their rights in the streets of 
                Birmingham, Alabama, and on the Mall in Washington, 
                D.C. Courageous civil rights leaders answered hate and 
                discrimination with love and dignity, toppled 
                segregation laws, and worked to make America a more 
                just and hopeful Nation.

                All Americans can be proud of the progress we have 
                made, yet the work for a more perfect union is not 
                done. As we celebrate National African American History 
                Month, we reaffirm our commitment to build a society 
                where every individual has the opportunity to achieve 
                the promise of this great land.

                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 2007 as National 
                African American History Month. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, and all the people of the United 
                States to observe this month with appropriate programs 
                and activities that honor the significant contributions 
                African Americans have made to our Nation.

[[Page 4614]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                first. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 07-455
Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P