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South Korea’s Role in Iraq President Bush. Thank you, sir. Q. Mr. President, in the wake of the be- heading of the South Korean national, what NOTE: The President spoke at 1:54 p.m. in the Oval Office at the . In his remarks, are you doing to ensure South Korea sticks he referred to former President Saddam Hussein to its plan to send 3,000 troops to Iraq? of Iraq; Prime Minister Ayad al-Alawi of the Iraqi President Bush. I haven’t had a chance interim government; and President Roh Moo- to speak to President Roh yet, but I would hyun of South Korea. Prime Minister Medgyessy hope that President Roh would understand spoke in Hungarian, and his remarks were trans- that the free world cannot be intimidated by lated by an interpreter. the brutal action of these barbaric people. See, what they’re trying to do is they’re trying to shake our will and our confidence. Remarks at a Reception for They’re trying to get us to withdraw from Black Music Month the world so that they can impose their dark June 22, 2004 vision on people, and remember what their dark vision is like. Remember what it was Thanks for coming, and welcome to the like for a young girl to grow up with the White House. Laura and I really appreciate Taliban in Afghanistan. This was a society you coming to join us today to celebrate where young girls weren’t even allowed to Black Music Month, and we’re glad you’re go to school. It’s a society where people were here. humiliated in public. This is a society where Our Masters and students from the people couldn’t worship freely. This was a Jazz in the New Generation program will dark and dismal society. And that’s their vi- perform for us soon, and we thank them for sion of the world. In order to impose their being here as well. I think you’re going to vision, they want us to leave. They want us like it. [Laughter] It’s actually one of the to cower in the face of their brutal killings. great advantages of being the President is And the United States will not be intimi- you get some great musicians to play for you dated by these people because we believe in your living room. [Laughter] strongly in freedom and liberty and human We want to thank Dana Gioia for coming rights and human dignity, freedom to wor- here. He’s the chairman of the National En- ship as you see fit, freedom to speak your dowment of Arts. He’s doing a fine job. I mind. And I believe President Roh under- appreciate you being here. stands that. I see members of my Cabinet who are Prime Minister Medgyessy. And we here. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman share the same values with the United States. is joining us. Thank you, Ann, for coming. And the Secretary of Housing and Urban De- Hungarian Troops in Iraq/U.N. Security velopment Alphonso Jackson and his wife, Council Resolution on Iraq Marcia, I appreciate you both being here. I Q. Mr. Prime Minister, has it been want to thank Congressman Chris Shays brought up that perhaps the mandate of from the great State of Connecticut for join- Hungarian troops would be prolonged after ing us. Thank you, and thank you for bringing the 31st of December? Did you touch upon Laura back safely last night. [Laughter] that issue? I appreciate Bill Coleman, the former Sec- Prime Minister Medgyessy. We were retary of Transportation under Gerald Ford, talking about how delighted we were about for joining us today. Mr. Secretary, thank you the Security Council resolution both in Eu- for coming. rope and everywhere else, that we welcome I want to thank Dr. Billy Taylor, Jazz Mas- the intention that gradually the conditions ter 1988, and the Billy Taylor Trio for being are created for the Iraqi people to take over here today. Thank you all for coming. Hon- control over the government. And in the fair- ored you’re here. I want to thank Jazz Master ness of that process, we shall decide whatever 2004, Chico Hamilton, for joining us today. should happen with Hungarian soldiers Thank you for coming. James Moody, Jazz there. Master 1998, thank you for coming. Of

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course, Jazz in the New Generation students, [laughter]—bright jazz talents like Roy Har- who will be introduced shortly. I appreciate grove, Mark Turner, Joshua Redman; pop David Baker, Jazz Master 2000, for joining artists like Alicia Keys. And of course, there’s us as well. Proud you’re being here. a Marsalis brother for just about every instru- During this month, we recognize the great ment. [Laughter] These performers and contribution that black music has made to many others carry forward the tradition of the culture of our Nation and to the world. black music in our country. We take great This music could only have come from the pride in this heritage. We’re grateful to every unique experience of African Americans, yet musician who keeps that heritage so rich and it speaks to every human heart. Black music so vital today. in America began with spiritual songs that And so I’ve signed a proclamation desig- bore witness to the cruelty of bondage and nating June 2004 as Black Music Month in the strength of faith. From those roots, it the United States of America. It’s a way we grew into a variety of styles, jazz and gospel, honor this important part of our heritage. rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. All these I’m going to turn things over now to the forms capture a part of the American spirit. Chairman of the National Endowment of the It’s impossible to imagine American music Arts, Dana Gioia, who will tell us about the without and Duke Elling- Jazz Masters program and introduce our per- ton, Mahalia Jackson and , Lio- formers. Before he comes up here, I want nel Hampton or B.B. King, Stevie Wonder you to know that he jokes he’s the only per- and , and countless others. son ever to have gone to Stanford Business It’s just impossible to imagine American School to become a poet. [Laughter] He can music without them, isn’t it? explain that for himself. [Laughter] He’s Recently, we’ve lost two of our greatest Af- doing a great job as the NEA Chairman. Wel- rican American musicians. Last month, the come, Dana Gioia. celebrated jazz drummer Elvin Jones passed away. He was the fiery pulse of John NOTE: The President spoke at 4:05 p.m. in the Coltrane’s Quartet. Elvin Jones loved music East Room at the White House. so much that rather than spend his last days in the hospital, he brought an oxygen tank on stage with him, so he could keep amazing Proclamation 7798—Black Music his audiences until the very end. Month, 2004 And just days ago we said goodbye to an- June 22, 2004 other American original, , who’s often called ‘‘the father of soul music,’’ but By the President of the United States his music embraced every style and tran- of America scended every label. It takes a great talent to make a song forever your own, and no A Proclamation one hears ‘‘Georgia On My Mind’’ or ‘‘Hit The creativity and variety of African- the Road, Jack’’ without thinking of Ray American composers, singers, and musicians Charles. When he was 15, his mother, have shaped America’s artistic and cultural Aretha, told him just before her death, ‘‘You landscape. During Black Music Month, we might not be able to do things like a person celebrate and honor the extraordinary impact who can see, but there are always two ways of African-American music on our Nation’s to do everything, and you’ve just got to find musical heritage. the other way.’’ Well, Ray found—Ray The artistry of black musicians changes as Charles found the other way, a beautiful way, each generation brings new talent and and it was our privilege to witness it. trends. Yet, there is a continuous theme. Though an older generation leaves us, From the profound spirituality of African in- their legacy lives on in many talented young digenous faith that influenced gospel, African American musicians of today: Gospel through the development of blues and jazz, singers like Kirk Franklin and Yolanda to the emergence of rhythm and blues and Adams—I might add, both from Texas— rock and roll, we hear the richness of the

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