Presidential Documents

4613 

Federal Register 

Vol. 72, No. 20 

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8103 of January 26, 2007 

National African American History Month, 2007 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

African Americans have been an integral part of America for generations, 

and our Nation is stronger because of their contributions. During National 

African American History Month, we honor the achievements of African 

Americans and recognize our continued responsibility to strive for equality 

for all our citizens. 

With grace and determination, African-American men and women have 

shaped our Nation and influenced American life. Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. 

DuBois, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr., advanced the cause of 

civil rights for all Americans and helped change the course of American 

history. Educators Booker T. Washington and Carter G. Woodson helped 

break down racial barriers in education to provide opportunity for all people. 

Americans have benefited from the achievements of scientists like George 

Washington Carver. Artists such as Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis 

Armstrong inspired Americans and created some of the most celebrated 

music this Nation has ever produced. 

The theme of this year’s National African American History Month, ‘‘From 

Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas,’’ recalls African Americans’ 

long journey to justice and commemorates the courage and persistence of 

the heroes who called on our Nation to live up to its founding promise. 

A century after African-American soldiers fought for their freedom on the 

battlefields of the Civil War, African Americans struggled peacefully for 

their rights in the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, and on the Mall in 

Washington, D.C. Courageous civil rights leaders answered hate and discrimination with love and dignity, toppled segregation laws, and worked to 

make America a more just and hopeful Nation. 

All Americans can be proud of the progress we have made, yet the work 

for a more perfect union is not done. As we celebrate National African 

American History Month, we reaffirm our commitment to build a society 

where every individual has the opportunity to achieve the promise of this 

great land. 

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 2007 as National 

African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, 

and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate 

programs and activities that honor the significant contributions African Americans have made to our Nation. 


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4614 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 20 / Wednesday, January 31, 2007 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth 

day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfirst. 

[FR Doc. 07–455 

Filed 1–30–07; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–01–P 


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