President Bush has marked national Black History month, encouraging Americans to "reflect on the contributions of African-Americans" during the month of February.

In his weekly radio address, the president stressed his commitment to education. He pledged to keep his promise to increase funding for historically black and Hispanic-serving institutions of high-learning by 30 percent by 2005. President Bush said his new budget was on track to reach that target -- in his words - - "even in a time of recession and war".

His budget plan includes more than 350-million-dollars to strengthen minority colleges and universities. The president said "our historically black colleges and universities opened the door to knowledge when other doors were barred", and added that they continue to offer exciting opportunities to young people to contribute to their country today.

Many black colleges were set up after slavery was abolished because other schools discriminated against African Americans.

President Bush also highlighted his education reform enacted earlier this year, as a way to help narrow the achievement gap between low-income students and their wealthier counterparts.

(speech text, Reuters, AP)

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