For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 2, 2002
National African American History Month Proclamation
National African American History Month, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
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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