12 2 STA T .53 1 9PROCL A M AT I O N8 2 6 5 — MA Y 3 0, 2008 voice i nth e mus ic alg enius o fS cott J o p lin ,M a r ian A n d erson, E u b ie B la k e, and Mahalia Jackson .D uring the C ivil R ights era, African - Amer- ican musicians such as Duke Ellington, Mudd yW aters, and Ruth Bro w n conveyed the struggles of their communities while bringing people of all backgrounds together. T oday, this music continues to in- spire America ’ s citi z ens and advance its creative spirit. Throughout the course of American history, black musicians have used their great talents to share the richness of the African-American e x peri- ence and to develop a uni q uely American style of music en j oyed throughout the world. This month, we honor the pioneers of African- American music and today’s contemporary artists who have enriched the lives of people everywhere. NO W,T H ERE F ORE, I , G EORGE W. B U SH, P resident of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 20 0 8 as Black Music Month. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the history of black music and to enjoy the great contributions of Afri- can-American singers, musicians, and composers. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of May, in the year of our L ord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. GEORGE W. BUSH Proclam a ti o n8265 o fM a y30, 2008 GreatOu t do or sM o n t h,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation From the Appalachian Mountains to the Grand Canyon, America is blessed with places of natural beauty where our citizens can discover the full splendor of this great Nation. During Great Outdoors Month, our Nation celebrates the grandeur of our open spaces, strengthens our commitment to preserving this heritage, and reaffirms our dedication to protecting our air, water, and lands. My Administration remains dedicated to wise stewardship of the envi- ronment, and we will continue to protect our Nation’s natural won- ders. This past year, we have made great strides in helping wildlife thrive and in restoring habitat for migratory birds through cooperative conservation. Working with State and tribal officials, we are preserving important wildlife habitats and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge system. Citizens can visit takepride.gov to learn more about opportuni- ties to care for our environment. Great Outdoors Month is an opportunity to honor those who work to keep our natural places beautiful and to celebrate some of our coun- try’s favorite outdoor pastimes. These activities encourage a healthy lifestyle and give Americans pride in the great American landscape. As responsible stewards of our natural resources, we can help ensure that
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