THE PRESIDENT: I'm feeling pretty energized. (Laughter.) Thank
you all, welcome to the White House. Laura and I are thrilled you're
here as we celebrate Black Music Month.
This is an annual event and we always try to celebrate it in style,
and we did. (Applause.) Thank you all so very much for coming. The
White House is feeling pretty joyous right now. (Laughter.)
We've got some wonderful guests here today. We've got a lot of
educators and athletes, and got the mayor of Hempstead, New York.
We've got the President -- my friend, the President of Panama is with
us today. Madam President, thank you for coming, we're honored you're
here. (Applause.) We want to thank your Minister of Foreign
Relations and your Ambassador for coming, as well.
And, of course, joining us as well are two members from my
Cabinet: a fabulous Secretary of State, Colin Powell, thank you, Mr.
Secretary. (Applause.) The Secretary of Education, Rod Paige. Thank
you for coming, Mr. Secretary. (Applause.) Condoleezza Rice is with
us. Condi, thank you for coming. (Applause.) We've got other members
from my administration. I want to thank you for coming. I know Sam
Brownback is here, the senator from Kansas.
I want to thank so very much Stanley Crouch. It's wonderful to see
you again, sir; we're honored you're here. He brightened up one of the
book festivals that Laura gave a while ago. It's a joyous time to hear
him read -- you haven't lost your touch. (Laughter.)
I want to thank so very much the Cast of Harlem Song for coming.
You're fantastic artists. (Applause.) Loren, thank you very much, as
well, sir, for you being here, and the Harlem Jazz Museum Artists. You
really are great, thanks for coming. (Applause.)
We've got a lot of other great musicians with us today and I want
to thank you all for gracing the White House. Thanks for coming back.
The artists with us today are known and admired for high
achievement in many musical forms. And the commemoration of this month
expresses our nation's pride in the music that black Americans have
created and have shared with the world.
Some of the finest performances by black Americans have been heard
right here in the White House and in this room. Lionel Hampton played
here many times over half a century. (Applause.) Laura and I were
honored to host him on his last visit to the White House in 2001.
Duke Ellington performed in the East Room in 1969. He was familiar
with the place because, after all, his dad worked here as a butler.
The Steinway grand piano in the foyer has been played by Ellington and
Earl Hines, by Hank Jones and by Billy Taylor. And when Franklin
Roosevelt wanted to show the King and Queen of England the finest music
in America, he brought them to this room, to hear Marian Anderson sing
"Ave Maria." (Applause.)
Those White House performances were moments of triumph for artists
who loved this country, even when this country did not make them feel
fully welcomed. And the grace and dignity of their lives is part of
the story of black music in America. In so many different ways, the
artistry of black musicians has conveyed the experience of black
Americans throughout our history. From the earliest generations of
slaves came music of sorrow and patience, of truth and righteousness
and of faith that shamed the oppressor and called upon the justice of
Almighty God and praised His holy name.
Out of this heritage has come a tremendous variety of music,
expressed in gospel and jazz, in rhythm and blues and in rock and
roll. Lyrics first heard in the country churches in the Mississippi
Delta and songs first played in the clubs of Harlem and Chicago and
Memphis are now recognized and loved in every part of America and
throughout the world. The music we honor this month could have only
come from the unique experience of black Americans. (Applause.)
Yet, at its best, this music speaks to every heart. Your day is a
little better when you hear Nat King Cole sing "Unforgettable."
(Applause) Or Aaron Neville, "Tell it Like it Is" -- (laughter) -- or
Diana Ross singing "Reflections," or B.B. King lamenting, "The Thrill
is Gone." (Laughter.) Or how about when James Brown proclaims, "I Feel
Good"? (Laughter.) Or Mahalia Jackson praising, "Our Precious Lord."
This is some of the greatest music America has ever produced.
America is thankful to the men and women who have shared this gift with
us all. And so today I've signed a proclamation designating June 2003
as Black Music Month in the United States of America.
May God bless your talents, and may God continue to bless the
United States of America. Thank you for coming. (Applause.)