Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 / June 29 991 hop are performed, heard and loved in every this land from Africa more than four cen- part of the world—every part of the world. turies ago and the remarkable musical But they belong to our country in a unique achievements of African Americans since way. And as the President of this country, then have strongly and unmistakably im- I’m proud to herald that uniqueness today. proved the sound of American music. You trace the roots of black American From historical burdens such as slavery music, you arrive at the same place—with and injustice to the celebration of faith, much the people held in bondage, denied school- of the origin of African-American music re- ing, and kept away from opportunity. Yet, out flects our national story. The work songs, of all that suffering came the early spirituals, shouts and hollers, spirituals, and ragtime of some of the sweetest praise ever lifted up an earlier era laid the creative foundation for to heaven. In those songs, humanity will al- many of America’s most distinctive and pop- ways hear the voice of hope in the face of ular musical genres. These include rhythm injustice. and blues, jazz, hip hop, gospel, rap, and the Since those early days, the music of black roots of rock and roll. Americans has told many other stories, in Jazz, often called America’s classical many other styles: Scott Joplin to Jelly Roll music, so influenced our culture that Ameri- Morton, from Marion Anderson to Aretha cans named a decade after it. Like the coun- Franklin, from Nat King Cole to the Neville try of its birth, jazz blends many traditions, Brothers, from Dizzy Gillespie to Sam Cook, such as African-American folk, rhythm and Kathleen Battle to Gladys Knight, from blues, French Creole classical form, and gos- James Brown to the Four Tops. It is music pel. Through the creation and performance that is always easy to enjoy, yet impossible of music like jazz, black Americans were bet- to imitate. ter able to exchange ideas freely across racial Stories told about Louis Armstrong— and cultural barriers. Before our Nation someone came up to the legendary giant one made significant strides in truly promoting day and asked him to define jazz. They want- equal justice and opportunity for all, black ed to understand it, so they came to the mas- and white musicians in the genres of jazz, ter, himself. And he replied, ‘‘Man, if you’ve blues, and country played together in jam got to ask, you’ll never know.’’ [Laughter] sessions, recording studios, and small bands. Well, there’s some things I know today. In many ways, their art preceded social I know America is a richer place for the musi- change, allowing black and white musicians cians and the music that we honor today. to meet as equals and to be judged on their Again, I welcome you to the White House. musical ability, rather than the color of their And it’s now my honor to sign the executive skin. Their music also provided an outlet for proclamation. African Americans to speak passionately and brilliantly to the rest of the Nation and the NOTE: The President spoke at 3:20 p.m. in the world. East Room at the White House. In his remarks, From New Orleans and the back roads of he referred to Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, founders, Philadelphia International Records. the Mississippi Delta to Harlem and Chi- cago, black musicians set enduring and dis- tinctive standards for American creativity. Proclamation 7453—Black Music The blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, Month, 2001 the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of June 29, 2001 Duke Ellington, and the soul of Marvin Gaye claim fans of all ages from around the world. By the President of the United States The trumpeting genius of Louis Armstrong of America and Dizzy Gillespie illustrate the exceptional musicianship so prominent in various genres A Proclamation of African-American music. America’s rich musical heritage reflects The career of Marian Anderson, the world- the diversity of our people. Among many in- class contralto who was denied permission to fluences, the cultural traditions brought to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race, 992 June 29 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 symbolizes the achievements of so many their health insurance. I could not in good black American musicians. Performing in- conscience sign this bill because it puts the stead at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, she interests of trial lawyers before the interest drew an audience of 75,000 and inspired the of patients. world not only with her rich musical gifts, I will continue to work with the House to but also with her determination and courage. pass a strong Patients’ Bill of Rights, like The music of Marian Anderson and other Fletcher-Peterson-Johnson, that provides pa- African-American artists has greatly enriched tients with strong protections, holds HMOs our quality of life and created one of our accountable, but discourages runaway litiga- Nation’s most treasured art forms. As uni- tion costs. I urge the House to pass a mean- versal and original expressions of the human ingful and effective Patients’ Bill of Rights experience, their body of work, both past and that meets my principles. present, entertains, inspires, and thrills countless people around the world. Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, Proclamation 7454—To Modify President of the United States of America, Duty-Free Treatment Under the by virtue of the authority vested in me by Generalized System of Preferences the Constitution and the laws of the United June 29, 2001 States, do hereby proclaim June 2001, as Black Music Month. I encourage all Ameri- By the President of the United States cans to learn more about the contributions of America of black artists to America’s musical heritage and to celebrate their remarkable role in shaping our history and culture. A Proclamation In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set 1. Sections 501 and 502 of the Trade Act my hand this twenty-ninth day of June, in of 1974, as amended (the ‘‘1974 Act’’) (19 the year of our Lord two thousand one, and U.S.C. 2461 and 2462), authorize the Presi- of the Independence of the United States of dent to designate countries as beneficiary de- America the two hundred and twenty-fifth. veloping countries for purposes of the Gen- George W. Bush eralized System of Preferences (GSP). 2. Section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act (19 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, U.S.C. 2463(c)(2)(A)) provides that bene- 10:54 a.m., July 2, 2001] ficiary developing countries, except least-de- NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the veloped beneficiary developing countries or Federal Register on July 3. beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, are subject to competitive need limitations on the preferential treatment afforded under Statement on Senate Action on the the GSP to eligible articles. Patients’ Bill of Rights Legislation 3. Section 503(c)(2)(C) of the 1974 Act (19 June 29, 2001 U.S.C. 2463(c)(2)(C)) provides that a country that is no longer treated as a beneficiary de- I am pleased that the Patients’ Bill of veloping country with respect to an eligible Rights adopted in the Senate today more article may be redesignated as a beneficiary closely reflects my principles than did the developing country with respect to such arti- original McCain-Kennedy-Edwards bill. I ap- cle if imports of such article from such coun- preciate the good faith efforts of those who try did not exceed the competitive need limi- worked to improve the bill by narrowing tations in section 503(c)(2)(A) during the some loopholes and giving greater deference preceding calendar year. to state patient protections. 4. Section 503(c)(2)(F) of the 1974 Act (19 The Senate failed, however, to address the U.S.C. 2463(c)(2)(F)) provides that the danger that excessive, unlimited litigation in President may disregard the competitive State courts would drive up premium costs need limitation provided in section and cause many American families to lose 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(II) (19 U.S.C.