[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 26 (Monday, July 2, 2001)]
[Pages 991-992]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7453--Black Music Month, 2001

 June 29, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

 A Proclamation

    America's rich musical heritage reflects the diversity of our 
people. Among many influences, the cultural traditions brought to this 
land from Africa more than four centuries ago and the remarkable musical 
achievements of African Americans since then have strongly and 
unmistakably improved the sound of American music.
    From historical burdens such as slavery and injustice to the 
celebration of faith, much of the origin of African-American music 
reflects our national story. The work songs, shouts and hollers, 
spirituals, and ragtime of an earlier era laid the creative foundation 
for many of America's most distinctive and popular musical genres. These 
include rhythm and blues, jazz, hip hop, gospel, rap, and the roots of 
rock and roll.
    Jazz, often called America's classical music, so influenced our 
culture that Americans named a decade after it. Like the country of its 
birth, jazz blends many traditions, such as African-American folk, 
rhythm and blues, French Creole classical form, and gospel. Through the 
creation and performance of music like jazz, black Americans were better 
able to exchange ideas freely across racial and cultural barriers. 
Before our Nation made significant strides in truly promoting equal 
justice and opportunity for all, black and white musicians in the genres 
of jazz, blues, and country played together in jam sessions, recording 
studios, and small bands. In many ways, their art preceded social 
change, allowing black and white musicians to meet as equals and to be 
judged on their musical ability, rather than the color of their skin. 
Their music also provided an outlet for African Americans to speak 
passionately and brilliantly to the rest of the Nation and the world.
    From New Orleans and the back roads of the Mississippi Delta to 
Harlem and Chicago, black musicians set enduring and distinctive 
standards for American creativity. The blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie 
Smith, the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of Duke Ellington, and 
the soul of Marvin Gaye claim fans of all ages from around the world. 
The trumpeting genius of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie illustrate 
the exceptional musicianship so prominent in various genres of African-
American music.
    The career of Marian Anderson, the world-class contralto who was 
denied permission to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race,

[[Page 992]]

symbolizes the achievements of so many black American musicians. 
Performing instead at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, she drew an audience 
of 75,000 and inspired the world not only with her rich musical gifts, 
but also with her determination and courage.
    The music of Marian Anderson and other African-American artists has 
greatly enriched our quality of life and created one of our Nation's 
most treasured art forms. As universal and original expressions of the 
human experience, their body of work, both past and present, entertains, 
inspires, and thrills countless people around the world.
    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 
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2001, as Black 
Music Month. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the 
contributions of black artists to America's musical heritage and to 
celebrate their remarkable role in shaping our history and culture.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:54 a.m., July 2, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
July 3.