    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 6, 2005]
    [Pages 941-942]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Reception for Black Music Month
    June 6, 2005

        Thank you all. Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are honored to have some of the country's finest
    entertainers with us tonight. We're here to celebrate Black Music Month,
    and we thank you all for coming.
        For decades, Presidents have taken pride in welcoming black
    musicians to play in this house, and the performers seem to enjoy this
    place when they come. [Laughter] One of the greatest black musicians to
    visit the White House was Dizzy Gillespie. He liked it so much here he
    became a write-in candidate for President in 1964. [Laughter] His
    platform included jazz in schools and Miles Davis as the head of the
    CIA. [Laughter] I'm not making that up. [Laughter]
        Teresa, thank you very much for emceeing
    this event. I really thank our entertainers. You were great. Thank you
    for filling this house--[applause]. I want to thank the members of my
    Cabinet who have joined us. I appreciate Senator George Allen from Virginia and Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia for joining us as well. A lot of
    distinguished Americans here, and we're really glad you're here.
    Welcome.
        Each June, we honor the great contributions that black musicians
    have made to America and to the world. The music of African American
    artists has enhanced our lives and created some of the Nation's most
    treasured art forms, and that's why we celebrate this month. From gospel
    music to blues to jazz to rock and roll, the songs of America's black
    musicians have defined their times and have enriched our culture.
        It's hard to imagine America without the genius of Louis Armstrong
    and Dizzy Gillespie, the voices of Lena Horne and
    Diana Ross and Ella Fitzgerald and so many
    others. We just can't envision our country without those voices. Their
    achievements remind us that our diversity makes our country strong.
        The artists we celebrate this month use music to lift the human
    spirit. Black music in America began with the work songs and spirituals
    of people held in slavery. Their songs bore witness to cruelty and
    earthly injustice, and yet in them, we hear the voice of faith lifted up
    to God. That music could have come only from the unique experience of
    African Americans, yet it speaks a language that all Americans
    understand.
        The Psalms tell us to ``make a joyful noise unto the Lord.'' You
    lived up to the Psalms. [Laughter] Smokie, Mary Mary, and Donnie understand that
    part of the Gospel. [Laughter] These gospel artists have found a modern
    audience for a timeless music, and they have never forgot their purpose.
    Pastor Donnie likes to say, ``If you ever want to get anybody in touch
    with God, sing to them.'' He has a whole congregation on Long Island
    saying amen when he sings, kind of like he had in the White House.
    [Laughter]
        At its best, music speaks to every heart, and some moving
    performances by black

    [[Page 942]]

    musicians have happened right here at the White House. You just
    witnessed one. In 1882, a black choir called the Fisk Jubilee Singers
    moved President Arthur to tears with their performance of ``Safe in the
    Arms of Jesus.'' Sissieretta Jones, the daughter of a slave, sang opera
    here in the White House for President Benjamin Harrison. In 1939, Marian
    Anderson performed ``Ave Maria'' for Franklin Roosevelt right here in
    this room. President Roosevelt said that ``music can make us all more
    vividly aware of the common humanity which is ours.'' Let history
    record, you had me jumping in my seat. [Laughter]
        Throughout our history, African American artists have created music
    with the power to change hearts and reshape our national conscience. The
    songs of black musicians heralded social change. Music like jazz and
    blues communicated across racial barriers. That music began in America's
    country churches and urban clubs of Chicago, New Orleans, and Harlem.
    Today, it is cherished here at home and around the world.
        And our black musicians continue to inspire us and bring us
    together. Across the country, American cities and towns will celebrate
    Black Music Month with their own festivals. We're just a small part of a
    larger celebration. From the Chicago Blues Festival to the B.B. King
    Homecoming Festival in Mississippi to the JVC Jazz Festival in New York
    City, people of all races and ages and creeds will come together on warm
    June nights to celebrate these musicians and their music.
        Today, African American artists have continued to set standards of
    originality and creativity. The incredible talents of black musicians
    keep lifting their art and lifting the souls of America. We heard that
    talent today. We're grateful to all the black musicians who have brought
    such beauty and pride to our country, and we're grateful to you all.
        May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:37 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Teresa Hairston, founder and
    publisher, Gospel Today; and entertainers Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, and
    Rev. Donnie McClurkin. The Black Music Month proclamation of June 1 is
    listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.