THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release September 14, 2000
NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK, 2000
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Rooted in the segregated South of more than a century ago,
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for decades were the
sole source of higher education for African Americans. Generations of
African American educators, physicians, lawyers, scientists, and other
professionals found at HBCUs the knowledge, experience, and encouragement
they needed to reach their full potential. Over the years, HBCUs have
compiled an enviable record of achievement, educating almost forty percent
of our Nation's black college graduates. Today, building on that tradition
of excellence in education, HBCUs confer the majority of bachelor's degrees
and advanced degrees awarded to black students in the physical sciences,
mathematics, computer science, engineering, and education.
And HBCUs have accomplished this record in the face of daunting
challenges -- including limited financial resources and a relatively high
percentage of disadvantaged students -- without resorting to high tuition
fees. The faculty and staff of HBCUs have created a nurturing environment
for their students, set high academic standards and expectations, and
served as inspiring role models for the young people around them. As a
result, the dropout rate at HBCUs is much lower than for African American
students at other educational institutions, and enrollment remains high.
In addition to educating many of our Nation's most distinguished
African American professionals, HBCUs reach out to improve the quality of
life in surrounding communities. Whether renovating housing, providing job
training, instituting Head Start and senior citizen programs, mentoring
elementary and high school students, or teaching nutrition, the students
and faculty of HBCUs share their time, talents, and educational resources
to make a positive difference in thousands of lives. Just as important,
HBCUs serve as living repositories of African American history and
heritage, preserving the words and artifacts of proud generations of
African Americans and reminding us of the crucial part these men and women
have played in the history of our Nation.
For well over a century, HBCUs have made their mark as vital
institutions of higher learning. They have educated millions of young
people, and today they maintain their lead role in preparing African
Americans and students of all races for the challenges and opportunities of
this new century.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 September 17 through
September 23, 2000, as National
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. I call upon the people
of the United States, including government officials, educators, and
administrators, to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities honoring America's Historically Black Colleges and
Universities and their graduates.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-fifth.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
# # #
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House | White House for Kids
White House History | White House Tours | Help
Privacy Statement