[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 37 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Pages 2089-2090]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7339--National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
Week, 2000

September 14, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Rooted in the segregated South of more than a century ago, 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for decades were 
the sole source of higher education for African Americans. Generations 
of African

[[Page 2090]]

American educators, physicians, lawyers, scientists, and other 
professionals found at HBCUs the knowledge, experience, and 
encouragement they needed to reach their full potential. Over the years, 
HBCUs have compiled an enviable record of achievement, educating almost 
forty percent of our Nation's black college graduates. Today, building 
on that tradition of excellence in education, HBCUs confer the majority 
of bachelor's degrees and advanced degrees awarded to black students in 
the physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and 
education.
    And HBCUs have accomplished this record in the face of daunting 
challenges--including limited financial resources and a relatively high 
percentage of disadvantaged students--without resorting to high tuition 
fees. The faculty and staff of HBCUs have created a nurturing 
environment for their students, set high academic standards and 
expectations, and served as inspiring role models for the young people 
around them. As a result, the dropout rate at HBCUs is much lower than 
for African American students at other educational institutions, and 
enrollment remains high.
    In addition to educating many of our Nation's most distinguished 
African American professionals, HBCUs reach out to improve the quality 
of life in surrounding communities. Whether renovating housing, 
providing job training, instituting Head Start and senior citizen 
programs, mentoring elementary and high school students, or teaching 
nutrition, the students and faculty of HBCUs share their time, talents, 
and educational resources to make a positive difference in thousands of 
lives. Just as important, HBCUs serve as living repositories of African 
American history and heritage, preserving the words and artifacts of 
proud generations of African Americans and reminding us of the crucial 
part these men and women have played in the history of our Nation.
    For well over a century, HBCUs have made their mark as vital 
institutions of higher learning. They have educated millions of young 
people, and today they maintain their lead role in preparing African 
Americans and students of all races for the challenges and opportunities 
of this new century.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, 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 
17 through September 23, 2000, as National Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities Week. I call upon the people of the United States, 
including government officials, educators, and administrators, to 
observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities 
honoring America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 
their graduates.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 18, 
2000]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 19.