[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 25277-25278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11843]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 90 / Friday, May 9, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 25277]]


                Proclamation 7674 of May 7, 2003

                
Mother's Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Mother's Day, we honor the dedicated and caring 
                women who are devoted to their families and committed 
                to improving the world their children will inherit. Our 
                first President, George Washington, said that his 
                mother was ``the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I 
                am I owe to my mother.'' America owes much of its 
                goodness and strength to mothers, including adoptive 
                mothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers.

                Mother's Day began as a day of love and friendship, 
                designed to help heal families divided across battle 
                lines during the Civil War. In 1914, President Woodrow 
                Wilson signed a resolution officially establishing 
                Mother's Day to honor the role of women in the family. 
                On Mother's Day, 2003, we carry on the tradition by 
                recognizing our mothers for their strength and 
                compassion. We also recognize them for showing 
                unconditional love and teaching positive values.

                Mothers nurture a child's physical and emotional 
                growth, nurse illness, ease failure, and cheer success. 
                They instill important values in children and help 
                provide the tools they need to make the right choices 
                and grow up to be responsible, compassionate, and 
                successful members of society.

                As we honor our mothers on this special day, we 
                celebrate their contributions to the character of our 
                next generation of leaders. And we remember the lessons 
                our mothers have taught us: That it is better to give 
                than to receive, that we must love our neighbors as 
                ourselves, and that service to others brings joy.

                The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8, 
                1914, as amended (38 Stat. 770), has designated the 
                second Sunday in May each year as ``Mother's Day'' and 
                has requested the President to call for its appropriate 
                observance. It is my honor and privilege to do so 
                again.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 11, 
                2003, as Mother's Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                express their love, respect, and appreciation to 
                mothers everywhere for their contributions to their 
                children, families, communities, and our Nation. I also 
                call upon citizens to observe this day with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities.

[[Page 25278]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-11843
Filed 5-8-03; 10:40 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P