[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7664 of April 15, 2003
 
National Fair Housing Month, 2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

The Fair Housing Act was signed on April 11, 1968, just one week after
the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This landmark bill,
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, resulted from the hard work
and leadership of Dr. King and others in the civil rights movement and
was an important step toward confronting discrimination against
minorities in housing. As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of this
historic legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all
Americans have equal access to housing.
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has helped open doors of opportunity for
countless families. Since its passage, America has made significant
progress in achieving equal housing access for all individuals.
Despite this progress, more work remains in our struggle to achieve
equality and racial justice. Prejudice and discriminatory practices in
housing still exist in America. A recent lending study showed that
minorities continue to receive less information, less assistance, and
less favorable terms and conditions than non-minorities while applying
for home loans. These practices are wrong. As a Nation, and as
individuals, we must be vigilant in responding to discrimination
wherever we find it and ensuring that minority families have access to
housing. With my minority homeownership initiative and its partnership
with the private sector, I have set a goal to increase the number of
minority homeowners by 5.5 million by 2010.
All Americans should know their housing rights, and the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is working to increase public
awareness of fair housing laws, including those combating discrimination
in mortgage lending. The 2004 budget request for HUD includes $50
million for fair housing--a 9 percent increase over 2003 funding--with a
substantial portion specifically allocated for increased education and
outreach efforts. The Department is also collaborating with the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation on a financial education program in
minority neighborhoods. In addition, the HUD, Education, and the
Treasury Departments are advancing initiatives to educate families about
homeownership through counseling programs and financial literacy
efforts.
We are also vigilantly enforcing fair housing laws, showing no tolerance
for those who discriminate. The Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity at HUD is working with private industry and fair housing and
community advocates to promote voluntary compliance and to en

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sure that consumers are treated in a lawful, respectful manner. When
warranted, the Department of Justice takes legal action to protect our
citizens from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin.
Finally, we are working to increase the supply of accessible housing for
citizens with disabilities. HUD continues to aggressively enforce the
law on behalf of people with disabilities, and the Department is working
cooperatively with builders, architects, and others to provide technical
assistance to help construct more handicapped-accessible housing.
Fair Housing Month provides an opportunity to place special emphasis on
our goal to increase homeownership throughout our country. Together, we
can advance toward a future where all our citizens have access to a key
element of the American Dream--homeownership.
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 April 2003 as National
Fair Housing Month. I call upon the people of the United States to learn
more about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act
and the roles they can individually and collectively play to combat
housing discrimination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
April, 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