pd10fe03 Proclamation 7645--National African American History Month, 2003...

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[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
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[Page i]
 
Monday, February 10, 2003


[[Page i]]

Weekly Compilation of

Presidential

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[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
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[Page i-ii]
 
Pages 149-173
 
Contents

[[Page ii]]


Addresses to the Nation

    Loss of Space Shuttle Columbia--151

Addresses and Remarks

    See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders
    Energy independence--161

    Iraqi regime's noncompliance with U.N. resolutions--164

    Maryland, Project BioShield in Bethesda--153

    National Prayer Breakfast--159

    Radio address--150

    Swearing-in ceremony for John Snow as Secretary of the Treasury--167
    Texas, memorial service for the STS-107 crew of the Space Shuttle 
        Columbia in Houston--156

Communications to Congress

    Bosnia and Herzegovina, message transmitting report on benchmarks 
        for a sustainable peace process--157
    Millennium Challenge Account and the Millennium Challenge 
        Corporation, message transmitting proposed legislation--159
    Norway-U.S. Agreement on Social Security, message transmitting--158
    Plan Colombia, message transmitting report--158

Communications to Federal Agencies

    Declaration Under the Stafford Act for Louisiana: Space Shuttle 
        Columbia, memorandum--152
    Declaration Under the Stafford Act for Texas: Space Shuttle 
        Columbia, memorandum--152

Interviews With the News Media

    Exchange with reporters outside the Treasury Department--165

Meetings With Foreign Leaders

    Bahrain, King Hamad--156

Proclamations

    Establishment of the Governors Island National Monument--168
    Honoring the Memory of the Astronauts Aboard Space Shuttle 
        Columbia--151
    National African American History Month--149

Statements by the President

    Community and Faith-Based Initiative, legislation to implement--158

Supplementary Materials

    Acts approved by the President--173
    Checklist of White House press releases--172
    Digest of other White House announcements--169
    Nominations submitted to the Senate--172
  

Editor's Note: The President was at Camp David, MD, on February 7, the 
closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the 
Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in 
this issue will be printed next week.



              WEEKLY COMPILATION OF
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[[Page 149]]




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[Page 149-150]
 
Pages 149-173
 
Week Ending Friday, February 7, 2003
 
Proclamation 7645--National African American History Month, 2003


 January 31, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    African Americans have played central roles in some of the most 
triumphant and courageous moments in our Nation's history. During 
National African American History Month, we honor the rich heritage of 
African Americans and pay tribute to their many contributions to our 
Nation. As we celebrate this year's theme, ``The Souls of Black Folk: 
Centennial Reflections,'' we remember the successes and challenges of 
our past. We also resolve to honor the achievements and legacy of these 
proud citizens by continuing to improve our society so that it fully 
lives up to our founding ideals.
    In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson recognized the need for our 
country to gain a more complete and informed understanding of our past. 
He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and 
established the first Negro History Week to emphasize that ``We have a 
wonderful history behind us . . . '' Through the pioneering efforts of 
Dr. Woodson and the hard work of the Association, this observance 
officially became Black History Month in 1976.
    For generations, African Americans have strengthened our Nation by 
urging reforms, overcoming obstacles, and breaking down barriers. We see 
the greatness of America in those who have risen above injustice and 
enriched our society, a greatness reflected in the resolve of Jackie 
Robinson, the intellect of W.E.B. DuBois, and the talent of Louis 
Armstrong. We also gain a deeper appreciation for the African-American 
experience in the writings of James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and Zora 
Neal Hurston, as well as in the music of Mahalia Jackson, Billie 
Holiday, Duke Ellington, and countless others.
    African Americans reflect a proud legacy of courage and dedication 
that has helped to guide our Nation's success and prosperity. Visionary 
leaders like Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, and Martin Luther 
King, Jr., possessed a clarity of purpose and were instrumental in 
exposing and addressing the issues that threatened our founding 
principles. The battle for freedom, equality, and opportunity was fought 
on the front lines by strong figures such as Harriet Tubman and Fannie 
Lou Hamer, as well as many other everyday heroes who helped to lead this 
Nation to a more hopeful and just society.
    As we recall these remarkable individuals, we also recognize that, 
despite our progress, racial prejudice still exists in America. As a 
Nation and as individuals, we must be vigilant in responding to 
discrimination wherever we find it. By promoting diversity, 
understanding, and opportunity, we will continue our efforts to build a 
society where every person, of every race, can realize the promise of 
America.
    This month, I encourage all citizens to gain awareness of and 
appreciation for African-American history. As we remember this important 
part of our Nation's past, we look to a bright future, recognizing the 
potential of an America united in purpose, guided by spirit, and 
dedicated to equality.
     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 February 2003 as 
National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, 
educators, librarians, and all of the people of the United States to 
observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that 
highlight and honor the myriad of contributions that African Americans 
have made to our Nation.

[[Page 150]]

     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first 
day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:04 a.m., February 4, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
February 5. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.


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[Page 150-151]
 
Pages 149-173
 
Week Ending Friday, February 7, 2003
 
The President's Radio Address

February 1, 2003

    Good morning. Earlier this week, I reported to the American people 
on the state of our Union. I asked Congress to join me in meeting the 
great challenges that confront our Nation with the courage and resolve 
our times require.
    Working together, we'll strengthen our economy and lay the 
foundation for sustained growth so that every person who wants to work 
can find a job. We will modernize Medicare to make sure that seniors can 
choose the coverage that fits them best, including coverage for 
prescription drugs. We will reform America's medical liability system to 
cut down on excessive lawsuits that are driving up the cost of health 
care. We will make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy 
by speeding up development of pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. 
We will renew the hope of welfare reform and support the faith-based and 
community groups who bring hope and healing to children who need mentors 
and men and women who struggle with drug addiction.
    The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in 
America also determine our conduct abroad. Across the world, we are 
meeting the threat of terrorism to make the world safer and confronting 
the grave dangers posed by outlaw regimes. At the same time, America can 
also make this world better by bringing the merciful powers of modern 
medicine to people in great need.
    Today in Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus, 
including 3 million children under the age of 15. To meet this growing 
crisis, I am proposing the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This 
comprehensive plan will prevent 7 million new AIDS infections, treat at 
least 2 million people with life-extending drugs, and provide humane 
care for millions of people suffering from AIDS and for children 
orphaned by AIDS. Facilities across Africa will have the medicine to 
treat AIDS because it will be purchased with funds provided by the 
United States.
    I'm asking the Congress to commit $15 billion to fight AIDS overseas 
for the next 5 years, beginning with $2 billion in 2004. This plan, 
coupled with our ongoing efforts, will nearly triple our current annual 
spending on the global fight against AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
    Our efforts to combat AIDS in Africa are made more difficult by 
severe food shortage sweeping that continent, a crisis that affects up 
to 30 million people in southern Africa and the Horn of Africa, 
particularly Ethiopia. Hunger, sickness, and grief have left people 
across the continent even more vulnerable to the effects of AIDS.
    Across the Earth, America is feeding the hungry. More than 60 
percent of international emergency food aid comes as a gift from the 
people of the United States. Building on this commitment, my budget for 
2004 calls for more than $1 billion to meet emergency food needs 
worldwide. Today I announced a new proposal for a $200 million famine 
fund to bring immediate assistance to Africa and other regions facing 
starvation. Money from the fund will be available to purchase food 
supplies directly or to support farmers in food production. We will 
encourage friends around the world to set up similar funds and leverage 
our combined resources to provide the most help to famine-stricken 
lands.
    Through all our efforts to fight disease and hunger, we can spare 
people in many nations from untold suffering, and Africa especially. 

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