Click Here

      *The President of the United States hosted a Black Music Month gathering in the East Room of the White House on Friday, with special guests Dr. Dorothy Height and Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson, whom Bush referred to as “my friend.”

      “He knows a little something about black entertainment,” the President said of Johnson in his introduction.

      Invited musicians who performed during the occasion included 15-year-old Karina Pasian, KEM Owens and Tourie and Damien Escobar (artists behind a new music fusion that bridges classical, R&B and rap).

ENJOYING BLACK MUSIC MONTH CELEBRATION AT THE WHITEHOUSE: Seated with President Bush (l-r): Dyana Williams, who co-authored the African American Music Bill introduced by Congressman Chaka Fattah, D-PA (the bill officially recognized June as Black Music Month) and Bob Johnson, founder of BET.

      The following are excerpts from President Bush’s remarks at the gathering:

      Thanks for taking time out of your day to come. One of the best things about living here is that some of the best musicians come to play. It's amazing what kind of talent you can draw here at the White House. (Laughter.)      

      And over the years American Presidents have seen some fantastic African American musicians here on the White House stage. President Chester Arthur -- you might remember Chester -- (laughter) -- he welcomed the first black choir to perform at the White House, the Jubilee Singers from Fisk University. President Benjamin Harrison hosted one of the first black soloists to play at the White House, Sissieretta Jones, who was the daughter of a slave.      

      President William Howard Taft invited Joseph Douglass -- grandson of Frederick Douglass -- to perform here. Franklin Roosevelt hosted the great Marian Anderson, when she performed "Ave Maria" for the King and Queen of England. President Ronald Reagan hosted Mikhail Gorbachev, and invited the legendary Pearl Bailey to entertain. And when he introduced her, he just simply said -- simply, "our Pearl" -- welcome "our Pearl." (Laughter.) I hope the translator got that right. (Laughter.)      

      And Laura and I had some incredible entertainers and Americans sing for us and our friends. We've had Eartha Kitt, Patti Austin, B.B. King, Irwin Mayfield, Aaron Neville, just to give you a taste of what happens here at the White House. Each of the performers has inspired people across the world with their talents, and each performer has brought great pride to the United States. It's really a great country that can produce a diverse group of musicians that can serve as ambassadors about what's right about America.