[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 32851-32852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14170]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 32851]]

                Proclamation 8684 of May 31, 2011

                
African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The music of our Nation has always spoken to the 
                condition of our people and reflected the diversity of 
                our Union. African-American musicians, composers, 
                singers, and songwriters have made enormous 
                contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships 
                and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our 
                shared values. During African-American Music 
                Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical 
                traditions of African-American musicians and their 
                gifts to our country and our world.

                From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of 
                rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used 
                to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift 
                in times of both despair and triumph. The rhythmic 
                chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a 
                deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to 
                slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and 
                storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural 
                renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave 
                strength to a generation that rose above the din of 
                hatred to move our country toward justice and equality 
                for all.

                Today, African-American musicians continue to create 
                new musical genres and transform the scope of 
                traditional musical formats. The artistic depth of 
                soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop not only bring 
                together people across our Nation, but also energize 
                and shape the creativity of artists around the world. 
                The contributions of African-American composers and 
                musicians to symphony, opera, choral music, and musical 
                theater continue to reach new audiences and encourage 
                listeners to celebrate fresh interpretations of these 
                and other genres. In cherished songs passed down 
                through generations and innovative musical fusions 
                crafted today, African-American music continues to 
                transcend time, place, and circumstance to provide a 
                source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its 
                harmonies. This month, we celebrate the legacy of 
                African-American music and its enduring power to bring 
                life to the narrative of our Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 June 2011 as African-
                American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, and all the people of the United 
                States to observe this month with appropriate 
                activities and programs that raise awareness and foster 
                appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, or 
                performed by African Americans.

[[Page 32852]]

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

[FR Doc. 2011-14170
Filed 6-6-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P