[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 6 (Monday, February 9, 2004)]
[Page 188]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7756--National African American History Month, 2004

 February 3, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    During National African American History Month, we honor the 
heritage and accomplishments of African Americans and recognize their 
extraordinary contributions to the United States.
    African Americans have upheld the ideals of America, defended our 
homeland, and enriched American culture and society. Brave leaders such 
as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther 
King, Jr., and Leon Sullivan caused America to examine its heart and to 
respect the dignity and equality of all people, regardless of race. 
Today, African Americans are leaders at the highest levels of the 
military, business, education, law, government, the arts, sports, and 
religion.
    To help share the stories of the millions of African Americans who 
have strengthened our country, I recently signed legislation 
establishing the National Museum of African American History and Culture 
as a part of the Smithsonian Institution. This museum will commemorate 
the triumphs of African Americans--their determination in overcoming the 
evil of slavery and discrimination and their many achievements and 
contributions to our Nation.
    This year's National African American History Month celebrates the 
50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board 
of Education. In that landmark decision, the Supreme Court declared an 
end to the shameful and unconstitutional practice of legal segregation 
in schools, ruling unanimously that the Constitution requires all 
Americans to be treated equally without regard to the color of their 
skin. The Brown decision transformed America and fulfilled the 
principles of our Constitution. This year, we remember the brave 
schoolchildren and parents who challenged segregation. We recognize the 
legal and moral advocates who paved the way for this decision, including 
Thurgood Marshall, the heroic lawyer who represented Linda Brown and 
fought for her rights and the rights of all African Americans. We 
remember the nine justices of the Supreme Court who helped America begin 
to make equal justice under law a reality for African Americans. Nearly 
50 years after Brown, we are grateful for the progress America has made, 
but we also recognize that there is still work to be done to ensure that 
our country lives up to the founding principle that all of God's 
children are created equal.
    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 February 2004 as National 
African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, 
librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this 
month with appropriate programs and activities that highlight and honor 
the contributions African Americans have made to our Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:58 a.m., February 5, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on February 4, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
February 6.