Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2018 / Presidential Documents 26201 

Proclamation 9763 of June 1, 2018 

African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2018 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we celebrate the tremendous achievements and contributions of African-American musicians. 

The musical ingenuity of talented African American artists laid the foundation for so many recognizable and cherished genres of music, including 

rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, hip hop, and rap. 

Throughout our history, African-American music has demonstrated its power 

to elicit comfort, healing, happiness, conviction, and inspiration—as well 

as its ability to unite people of all backgrounds. Today, it resonates in 

jazz quartets, rock and roll guitar solos, gospel choirs, and hip hop beats. 

The expression of these artistic and diverse styles of music acts as a voice 

for freedom, justice, love, and the pursuit of happiness. 

African-American music has played a significant role in shaping the American dream and instilling a sense of pride in being an ‘‘American.’’ The 

talent and creativity of pioneers like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Nat King 

Cole, Etta James, Whitney Houston, and many others have indelibly enriched 

our culture and our lives. As Etta James noted, ‘‘I wanna show that gospel, 

country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll are all just really one 

thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.’’ 

Etta James recognized that the history and evolution of music in America 

reflects our country’s cultural uniqueness and our country’s commitment 

to protect and love every voice. 

African-American music brings together people of all backgrounds—people 

who hum it, whistle it, and sing it—to enjoy blended tunes and hardto-hit notes. Its contagious rhythm empowers its listeners to recall memories 

of the past and grow excited for the future. Our Nation is indebted to 

all the African-American artists whose music fills our airways and our 

homes, lifts our spirits, and compels us to think, dance, and sing. These 

musicians and their legacies ignite our imaginations and prove to us that 

the sky is the limit. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2018 as AfricanAmerican Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators, 

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

activities and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of AfricanAmerican music. 


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26202 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2018 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 

June, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second. 

[FR Doc. 2018–12260 

Filed 6–4–18; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F8–P 


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