[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 23 (Monday, June 13, 2005)]
[Pages 948-950]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Reception for Black Music Month

June 6, 2005

    Thank you all. Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are honored 
to have some of the country's finest entertainers with us tonight. We're 
here to celebrate Black Music Month, and we thank you all for coming.
    For decades, Presidents have taken pride in welcoming black 
musicians to play in this house, and the performers seem to enjoy this 
place when they come. [Laughter] One of the greatest black musicians to 
visit the White House was Dizzy Gillespie. He liked

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it so much here he became a write-in candidate for President in 1964. 
[Laughter] His platform included jazz in schools and Miles Davis as the 
head of the CIA. [Laughter] I'm not making that up. [Laughter]
    Teresa, thank you very much for emceeing this event. I really thank 
our entertainers. You were great. Thank you for filling this house--
[applause]. I want to thank the members of my Cabinet who have joined 
us. I appreciate Senator George Allen from Virginia and Congressman 
Bobby Scott from Virginia for joining us as well. A lot of distinguished 
Americans here, and we're really glad you're here. Welcome.
    Each June, we honor the great contributions that black musicians 
have made to America and to the world. The music of African American 
artists has enhanced our lives and created some of the Nation's most 
treasured art forms, and that's why we celebrate this month. From gospel 
music to blues to jazz to rock and roll, the songs of America's black 
musicians have defined their times and have enriched our culture.
    It's hard to imagine America without the genius of Louis Armstrong 
and Dizzy Gillespie, the voices of Lena Horn and Diana Ross and Ella 
Fitzgerald and so many others. We just can't envision our country 
without those voices. Their achievements remind us that our diversity 
makes our country strong.
    The artists we celebrate this month use music to lift the human 
spirit. Black music in America began with the work songs and spirituals 
of people held in slavery. Their songs bore witness to cruelty and 
earthly injustice, and yet in them, we hear the voice of faith lifted up 
to God. That music could have come only from the unique experience of 
African Americans, yet it speaks a language that all Americans 
understand.
    The Psalms tell us to ``make a joyful noise unto the Lord.'' You 
lived up to the Psalms. [Laughter] Smokie, Mary Mary, and Donnie 
understand that part of the Gospel. [Laughter] These gospel artists have 
found a modern audience for a timeless music, and they have never forgot 
their purpose. Pastor Donnie likes to say, ``If you ever want to get 
anybody in touch with God, sing to them.'' He has a whole congregation 
on Long Island saying amen when he sings, kind of like he had in the 
White House. [Laughter]
    At its best, music speaks to every heart, and some moving 
performances by black musicians have happened right here at the White 
House. You just witnessed one. In 1882, a black choir called the Fisk 
Jubilee Singers moved President Arthur to tears with their performance 
of ``Safe in the Arms of Jesus.'' Sissieretta Jones, the daughter of a 
slave, sang opera here in the White House for President Benjamin 
Harrison. In 1939, Marian Andersen performed ``Ave Maria'' for Franklin 
Roosevelt right here in this room. President Roosevelt said that ``music 
can make us all more vividly aware of the common humanity which is 
ours.'' Let history record, you had me jumping in my seat. [Laughter]
    Throughout our history, African American artists have created music 
with the power to change hearts and reshape our national conscience. The 
songs of black musicians heralded social change. Music like jazz and 
blues communicated across racial barriers. That music began in America's 
country churches and urban clubs of Chicago, New Orleans, and Harlem. 
Today, it is cherished here at home and around the world.
    And our black musicians continue to inspire us and bring us 
together. Across the country, American cities and towns will celebrate 
Black Music Month with their own festivals. We're just a small part of a 
larger celebration. From the Chicago Blues Festival to the B.B. King 
Homecoming Festival in Mississippi to the JVC Jazz Festival in New York 
City, people of all races and ages and creeds will come together on warm 
June nights to celebrate these musicians and their music.
    Today, African American artists have continued to set standards of 
originality and creativity. The incredible talents of black musicians 
keep lifting their art and lifting the souls of America. We heard that 
talent today. We're grateful to all the black musicians who have brought 
such beauty and pride to our country, and we're grateful to you all.
    May God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 5:37 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks,

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he referred to Teresa Hairston, founder and publisher, Gospel Today; and 
entertainers Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, and Donnie McClurkin.