[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 58709-58710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24441]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 183 / Wednesday, September 21, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 58709]]


                Proclamation 8715 of September 16, 2011

                
National Employer Support of the Guard and 
                Reserve Week, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Generation has borne 
                the burden of war with courage and valor, continuing 
                the legacy of the brave men and women who served before 
                them. More than five million volunteers have worn our 
                country's uniform over the past 10 years, and thousands 
                have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Making 
                up nearly half of our military power, the National 
                Guard and Reserve are vital to our operations at home 
                and abroad.

                During America's struggle for independence, ordinary 
                individuals in small towns across the colonies banded 
                together to confront an empire. Today, their spirit 
                lives on in the Guard and Reserve. The members of our 
                National Guard and Reserve demonstrate the dignity and 
                selflessness that are at the core of the American 
                spirit. These patriots serve not only in combat, but 
                also when disaster strikes at home, offering a strong 
                hand to victims of floods, tornadoes, and fires across 
                America.

                The employers who provide jobs to our Guard and Reserve 
                members when they are home are also vital to our 
                success. Many of these businesses go above and beyond, 
                offering tremendous support to service members and 
                their families during deployments. We are deeply 
                grateful for their work, and this week, we celebrate 
                not only our service members, veterans, and military 
                families, but also their devoted employers.

                The extraordinary service of our Guard and Reserve 
                members would not be possible without the unwavering 
                support and care provided by their families and 
                civilian employers. To help connect our service 
                members, veterans, and their families to the 
                opportunities they deserve, the First Lady and Dr. Jill 
                Biden announced Joining Forces, a comprehensive 
                national initiative to support and honor these 
                patriots. As part of this initiative, we issued a 
                challenge to private sector employers to hire or train 
                100,000 unemployed veterans or their spouses. We have 
                also proposed tax credits for businesses that hire our 
                returning heroes--they fought for our country, and the 
                last thing they should have to do is fight for a job 
                when they come home.

                This week, we remember our obligations to each other, 
                and we pay tribute to the employers of our Guardsmen 
                and Reservists whose support and flexibility is vital 
                to the strength of our military. The United States is 
                at its strongest when we live up to our sacred duty to 
                honor and care for our service members when they come 
                home. The support of employers across our country 
                reflects the best of the American spirit--the 
                understanding that we are bound together to serve and 
                protect our Nation.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 18 through 
                September 24, 2011, as National Employer Support of the 
                Guard and Reserve Week. I call upon all Americans to 
                join me in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the 
                members of the National Guard and Reserve and their 
                civilian

[[Page 58710]]

                employers. I also call on State and local officials, 
                private organizations, and all military commanders, to 
                observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-24441
Filed 9-20-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P