[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 88 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26907-26908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11134]



[[Page 26905]]

Vol. 77

Monday,

No. 88

May 7, 2012

Part III





The President





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Proclamation 8813--Jewish American Heritage Month, 2012



Proclamation 8814--National Foster Care Month, 2012
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 88 / Monday, May 7, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 26907]]

                Proclamation 8813 of May 2, 2012

                
Jewish American Heritage Month, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Three hundred and fifty-eight years ago, a band of 23 
                Jewish refugees fled Recife, Brazil, beset by bigotry 
                and oppression. For them, receding shores marked the 
                end of another chapter of persecution for a people that 
                had been tested from the moment they came together and 
                professed their faith. Yet, they also marked a new 
                beginning. When those men, women, and children landed 
                in New Amsterdam--what later became New York City--they 
                found not only safe haven, but early threads of a 
                tradition of freedom and opportunity that would forever 
                bind their story to the American story.

                Those 23 believers led the way for millions to follow. 
                During the next three centuries, Jews around the world 
                set out to build new lives in America--a land where 
                prosperity was possible, where parents could give their 
                children more than they had, where families would no 
                longer fear the specter of violence or exile, but live 
                their faith openly and honestly. Even here, Jewish 
                Americans bore the pains of hardship and hostility; 
                yet, through every obstacle, generations carried with 
                them the deep conviction that a better future was 
                within their reach. In adversity and in success, they 
                turned to one another, renewing the tradition of 
                community, moral purpose, and shared struggle so 
                integral to their identity.

                Their history of unbroken perseverance and their belief 
                in tomorrow's promise offers a lesson not only to 
                Jewish Americans, but to all Americans. Generations of 
                Jewish Americans have brought to bear some of our 
                country's greatest achievements and forever enriched 
                our national life. As a product of heritage and faith, 
                they have helped open our eyes to injustice, to people 
                in need, and to the simple idea that we might recognize 
                ourselves in the struggles of our fellow men and women. 
                These principles led Jewish advocates to fight for 
                women's equality and workers' rights, and to preach 
                against racism from the bimah; they inspired many to 
                lead congregants on marches to stop segregation, help 
                forge unbreakable bonds with the State of Israel, and 
                uphold the ideal of ``tikkun olam''--our obligation to 
                repair the world. Jewish Americans have served 
                heroically in battle and inspired us to pursue peace, 
                and today, they stand as leaders in communities across 
                our Nation.

                More than 300 years after those refugees first set foot 
                in New Amsterdam, we celebrate the enduring legacy of 
                Jewish Americans--of the millions who crossed the 
                Atlantic to seek out a better life, of their children 
                and grandchildren, and of all whose belief and 
                dedication inspires them to achieve what their 
                forebears could only imagine. Our country is stronger 
                for their contributions, and this month, we commemorate 
                the myriad ways they have enriched the American 
                experience.

                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 May 2012 as Jewish 
                American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to 
                visit www.JewishHeritageMonth.gov to learn more about 
                the heritage and contributions of Jewish Americans and 
                to observe this month with appropriate programs, 
                activities, and ceremonies.

[[Page 26908]]

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

[FR Doc. 2012-11134
Filed 5-4-12; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P