    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 7664 of April 15, 2003

    National Fair Housing Month, 2003

    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    The Fair Housing Act was signed on April 11, 1968, just one week after
    the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This landmark bill,
    Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, resulted from the hard work
    and leadership of Dr. King and others in the civil rights movement and
    was an important step toward confronting discrimination against
    minorities in housing. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of this
    historic legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all
    Americans have equal access to housing.
    The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has helped open doors of opportunity for
    countless families. Since its passage, America has made significant
    progress in achieving equal housing access for all individuals.
    Despite this progress, more work remains in our struggle to achieve
    equality and racial justice. Prejudice and discriminatory practices in
    housing still exist in America. A recent lending study showed that
    minorities continue to receive less information, less assistance, and
    less favorable terms and conditions than non-minorities while applying
    for home loans. These practices are wrong. As a Nation, and as
    individuals, we must be vigilant in responding to discrimination
    wherever we find it and ensuring that minority families have access to
    housing. With my minority homeownership initiative and its partnership
    with the private sector, I have set a goal to increase the number of
    minority homeowners by 5.5 million by 2010.
    All Americans should know their housing rights, and the Department of
    Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is working to increase public
    awareness of fair housing laws, including those combating discrimination
    in mortgage lending. The 2004 budget request for HUD includes $50
    million for fair housing--a 9 percent increase over 2003 funding--with a
    substantial portion specifically allocated for increased education and
    outreach efforts. The Department is also collaborating with the Federal
    Deposit Insurance Corporation on a financial education program in
    minority neighborhoods. In addition, the HUD, Education, and the
    Treasury Departments are advancing initiatives to educate families about
    homeownership through counseling programs and financial literacy
    efforts.
    We are also vigilantly enforcing fair housing laws, showing no tolerance
    for those who discriminate. The Office of Fair Housing and Equal
    Opportunity at HUD is working with private industry and fair housing and
    community advocates to promote voluntary compliance and to en

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    sure that consumers are treated in a lawful, respectful manner. When
    warranted, the Department of Justice takes legal action to protect our
    citizens from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or
    national origin.
    Finally, we are working to increase the supply of accessible housing for
    citizens with disabilities. HUD continues to aggressively enforce the
    law on behalf of people with disabilities, and the Department is working
    cooperatively with builders, architects, and others to provide technical
    assistance to help construct more handicapped-accessible housing.
    Fair Housing Month provides an opportunity to place special emphasis on
    our goal to increase homeownership throughout our country. Together, we
    can advance toward a future where all our citizens have access to a key
    element of the American Dream--homeownership.
    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 April 2003 as National
    Fair Housing Month. I call upon the people of the United States to learn
    more about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act
    and the roles they can individually and collectively play to combat
    housing discrimination.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    seventh.
    GEORGE W. BUSH