African Americans have upheld the ideals of America, defended our homeland, and enriched American culture and society. Brave leaders such as Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Leon Sullivan caused America to examine its heart and to respect the dignity and equality of all people, regardless of race. Today, African Americans are leaders at the highest levels of the military, business, education, law, government, the arts, sports, and religion.
To help share the stories of the millions of African Americans who have strengthened our country, I recently signed legislation establishing the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a part of the Smithsonian Institution. This museum will commemorate the triumphs of African Americans -- their determination in overcoming the evil of slavery and discrimination and their many achievements and contributions to our Nation.
This year's National African American History Month celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education. In that landmark decision, the Supreme Court declared an end to the shameful and unconstitutional practice of legal segregation in schools, ruling unanimously that the Constitution requires all Americans to be treated equally without regard to the color of their skin. The Brown decision transformed America and fulfilled the principles of our Constitution. This year, we remember the brave schoolchildren and parents who challenged segregation. We recognize the legal and moral advocates who paved the way for this decision, including Thurgood Marshall, the heroic lawyer who represented Linda Brown and fought for her rights and the rights of all African Americans. We remember the nine justices of the Supreme Court who helped America begin to make equal justice under law a reality for African Americans. Nearly 50 years after Brown, we are grateful for the progress America has made, but we also recognize that there is still work to be done to ensure that our country lives up to the founding principle that all of God's children are created equal.
| The White House issues "National African American History Month, 2004 by the President of the United States of America: a Proclamation"
posted in articles on February 5, 2004 1:05 PM | t (0)
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