Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2005 / Presidential Documents 54463 

Proclamation 7927 of September 9, 2005 

National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, 

2005 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are places of learning 

and achievement that reflect our Nation’s belief in the great potential of 

every student. By upholding high standards of excellence and providing 

equal educational opportunities to all Americans, these valued institutions 

help ensure that all our citizens can realize their full potential and look 

forward to a prosperous and hopeful future. 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African-American community and our 

entire Nation. By fostering academic achievement, instilling strong values 

and character, and equipping students with a quality education, they prepare 

rising generations for success and help fulfill our country’s commitment 

to equal education. 

My Administration is committed to supporting HBCUs and making higher 

education more affordable and more accessible. To ensure that more students 

have access to a college or university education, I have requested nearly 

$300 million for HBCUs in my 2006 budget, a record level of funding 

that would represent an increase in spending for these institutions by 30 

percent during my Administration. Through the White House Initiative on 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we are pursuing new ways 

to strengthen and advance HBCUs through endowments, faculty development, 

and cooperative research. 

America has made significant progress in strengthening our higher education 

system for all our citizens, and there is more work to do. We continue 

to strive toward a society in which every person can realize the great 

promise of America. During National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, we recognize the contributions of HBCUs, and we acknowledge 

and celebrate their role in making America a stronger and better Nation. 

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 September 11 through 

September 17, 2005, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 

Week. I call on public officials, educators, administrators, librarians, and 

all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate 

programs, ceremonies, and activities that demonstrate our appreciation for 

the many contributions these valuable institutions and their graduates have 

made to our country. 

54464 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2005 / Presidential Documents 

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

September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. 

W 

[FR Doc. 05–18368 

Filed 9–13–05; 8:45 am] 

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