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Remarks at a Celebration of African of course, they’re welcome here to the White American Music, History, and House. Culture We’ve also got some royalty with us, a May 31, 2002 woman known as the Queen of Gospel. For more than six decades—for more than six The President. Good afternoon, and wel- decades—I probably wasn’t supposed to say come to the people’s house, the White that—[laughter]—since her first perform- House. Laura and I are so very pleased that ance in Chicago’s West Point Baptist Church, you all came, and we’re glad to see you. We Albertina Walker has lifted the hearts every- had a wonderful time marking Black Music where. Month last year, and we had some pretty I reminded Albertina that my middle strong company—James Brown, Lionel name was Walker. [Laughter] She now calls Hampton, Shirley Caesar, the Four Tops— me ‘‘Cousin.’’ [Laughter] She reminded— and we’ve got some great names with us her brother’s name is George Walker. today as well. And you’re welcome. And [Laughter] I call him ‘‘W.’’ [Laughter] we’re looking forward to a fine afternoon, But if you give this woman a song of praise, celebrating music loved by all the world and a song like ‘‘Lord, Keep Me Day By Day’’ born right here in America. or ‘‘He Keeps On Blessing Me’’ or ‘‘Yes, God I want to thank Laura for escorting me Is Real,’’ you’ll hear it like it was meant to in today. [Laughter] I appreciate so very be sung. Not since her friend and mentor much our Secretary of Education, Mr. Rod Mahalia Jackson was last recorded has the Paige. Thank you for being here, Rod. He good news sounded so convincing and so carries a heavy burden, and that is to work sweet. We’re honored you’re here, ‘‘Cousin.’’ with school districts and folks all around our [Laughter] Welcome to the White House. country to achieve this noble goal: Every In the history of Black music, some of the child educated in America—I mean every finest moments have taken place right here child—and not one child left behind. in this house. Among the first Black soloists Dr. Bobby Jones is with us. I’m honored to perform in the White House was the to welcome Bobby back. He was here for daughter of a slave; Sissieretta Jones sang the gospel tribute, February 2002, and what ballads for three Presidents, including a tribute that was. It was a fantastic evening. McKinley and Roosevelt. President Taft Dr. Jones. We shouted the roof off. hosted the violinist Joseph Douglass, who The President. Yes, we did. [Laughter] was an ancestor of one of our guests today, I appreciate the members of the Presi- Frederick Douglass IV. Welcome. Good to dential Commission on the African American see you, sir. Museum of History and Culture; I’ll speak The first Black choir to sing here was the a little bit about that in a second. Thank you Jubilee Singers from Fisk University. That all for coming. happened over 120 years ago, during a time Afterwards, there’s a reception where the when America wasn’t a very hospitable place Robert E. Lee High School Chorale of Mid- for a lot of Americans. After all, the kids land, Texas, will be singing. And what makes couldn’t find a hotel room in which to stay. that interesting and important is that’s the The next day they were welcomed here by high school Laura graduated from. [Laugh- President Chester A. Arthur and touched ter] And so did Tommy Franks. him deeply with their rendition of the old I want to thank all the artists and record spiritual ‘‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus.’’ label representatives of the entertainment in- The spiritual has always had that power dustry who are with us today. Thanks for to move—to move many Americans. And being here. they always will. The people who first sang Today we’ll be entertained by the famed them and taught them to their children knew Show Choir from the Duke Ellington School the worst of human cruelty and earthly injus- of the Arts. They’re the bearers of one of tice. In their songs we hear the pain of sepa- America’s oldest and finest musical legacies. ration, the bitterness of oppression, the trou- We thank them for sharing their gifts, and bles of the world. We also hear the courage

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of a soul, the strength of a faith, and the trust I want to thank you for being here. And in God, who will right every wrong and wipe it is now my honor to bring to this podium away every tear. the Queen herself, Albertina Walker. Over many generations, in song both mournful and joyful, the music of Black NOTE: The President spoke at 2:20 p.m. in the America has created sounds like no other in East Room at the White House. In his remarks, America. From the deep South of another he referred to gospel artist Bobby Jones; and Gen. era to New Orleans to Chicago to Harlem, Tommy R. Franks, USA, Commander in Chief, Black musicians have set a standard for origi- U.S. Central Command. nality and authenticity. Someone once described Louis Arm- Proclamation 7568—Black Music strong’s music as always real and true, honest Month, 2002 and simple and noble. The same may be said of Black music in so many forms, and the May 31, 2002 artists who compose it and play it and sing By the President of the United States it with such style. How much richer we are of America to have known the voices of Nat ‘‘King’’ Cole and Lena Horne, Diana Ross, Duke Elling- A Proclamation ton and their orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie on America’s diverse and extraordinary musi- the horn, superb arrangements of Quincy cal heritage reflects the remarkable cultural Jones. America’s a richer place for it. and artistic history of our Nation. From gos- The music varies widely and keeps chang- pel, blues, and jazz to rock and roll, rap, and ing, while incredible talent keeps coming on. hip-hop, our Nation’s musical landscape of- Yet, there is a continuous theme: Black music fers an astounding array of uniquely Amer- is the sound of experience, written, as Stevie ican styles. During Black Music Month, we Wonder would say, ‘‘in the key of life.’’ celebrate a critically important part of this For a long time, many citizens have hoped heritage by highlighting the enduring legacy to see a museum in Washington that conveys of African American musicians, singers, and the experience of African Americans. I’m composers, and urging every American to ap- pleased that Congress has authorized a Presi- preciate and enjoy the fabulous achieve- dential commission, which I take very seri- ments of this highly creative community. ously, to take us closer to the goal of building Early forms of black American music de- a National Museum of African American His- veloped out of the work song, which had its tory and Culture. I hope the museum, when roots in African tribal chants. Through this it’s built, will remind visitors of both the suf- music, slaves shared stories, preserved his- fering and the triumph, the hurt that was tory, and established a sense of community. overcome, the barriers that are being cast As many African slaves in early America be- away. came Christians, they adapted their music In the Black American experience, there into the songs and life of the church. These has been a lot of pain, and America must spirituals eventually evolved into a genre that recognize that. There’s been progress, too, remains vibrant and very meaningful today— and there needs to be more. And always, gospel music. This great musical tradition de- there will be faith that mankind must be veloped under the leadership of people like called to a higher calling—to be kind and Thomas Dorsey, who was known as the Fa- just, if only he would follow what Martin Lu- ther of Gospel Music. He composed many ther King, Jr., called the soul-saving music great gospel songs that have become stand- of eternity. The music and culture of Black ards, and he established the tradition of the Americans has brought great beauty into this gospel music concert. world. Today, it brings great pride to our Following emancipation, African Ameri- country. And for the contributions so many cans enjoyed unprecedented opportunities of you have made to that legacy, your fellow but also faced many new and frequently op- Americans are very grateful. pressive challenges. Frustrations from these

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