For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 6, 2005
President Celebrates Black Music Month at the White House
The East Room
5:37 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: 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. (Applause.) 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 it so
much here he became a write-in candidate for President back 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.
(Applause.) A lot of distinguished Americans here, and I'm 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 and applause.) 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 that
"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. (Applause.)
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 and applause.)
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. (Applause.)
END 5:45 P.M. EDT
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