National African American History Month, 2002
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
(A time to celebrate achievements of African Americans, says
President)
President George W. Bush formally designated February as National
African American History Month in a proclamation issued by the White
House on February 2.
During this time, President Bush said, "We celebrate the many
achievements and contributions made by African Americans to our
economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development."
The theme for African American History Month 2002 is "The Color Line
Revisited: Is Racism Dead?"
In addition to the continued need to build a society that fully lives
up to its democratic ideals, President Bush stated, "The United States
must look beyond its borders and take an active role in helping to
alleviate poverty, stimulate economic growth and trade, enhance
democracy, and combat HIV/AIDS in Africa."
Following is the text of the Proclamation of National African American
History Month 2002:
During these extraordinary times, America looks forward to new
challenges and opportunities with a reinvigorated sense of unity and
common purpose. We are a strong and vibrant Nation, thanks to the
creativity, fortitude, and resilience of people of every race and
background. During National African American History Month, we
celebrate the many achievements and contributions made by African
Americans to our economic, cultural, spiritual, and political
development.
In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson founded The Association for the
Study of Negro Life and History. Through that Association, he began
pressing for the establishment of Negro History Week as a way to bring
national attention to the accomplishments of African Americans. He
hoped to neutralize the apparent distortions in Black history and to
provide a more objective and scholarly balance to American and World
history.
Dr. Woodson's dream became a reality in 1926. He chose the second week
of February for the observance because of its proximity to the
birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two individuals
whom Dr. Woodson felt had dramatically affected the lives of African
Americans. And in 1976, the Association succeeded in expanding the
observance, which then became Black History Month.
The theme of National African American History Month for 2002 is "The
Color Line Revisited: Is Racism Dead?" The observance calls our
Nation's attention to the continued need to battle racism and to build
a society that fully lives up to its democratic ideals. This
commitment includes ensuring a high-quality education for all
Americans, so that no child is left behind, and challenges us to
continue to rebuild and restore our communities, to fight crime and
violence, and to pursue equal opportunity and equal justice in every
part of our society. At the same time, the United States must look
beyond its borders and take an active role in helping to alleviate
poverty, stimulate economic growth and trade, enhance democracy, and
combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.
This annual event gives all Americans a chance to recognize and
commemorate the global history of people of African descent. As we
celebrate National African American History Month, I join with all
Americans in celebrating our diverse heritage and culture and
continuing our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful,
and prosperous for all.
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 2002 as
National African American History Month. I call upon public officials,
educators, librarians, and all of the people of the United States to
observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that
highlight and honor the myriad contributions of African Americans.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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