THE 70 YEARS since the Emancipation Proclamation of the Negro race have witnessed an astounding progress in their development in every field of business, agriculture, and the professions. I heartily congratulate the colored people upon this record and I wish for them steady advance in their future well-being and happiness.
Note: The message was read at St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City during ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the proclamation.
As printed above, this item follows the text set forth in a contemporary news account.
Herbert Hoover, Message Commemorating the Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/207924