[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28761-28762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11992]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 95 / Wednesday, May 16, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 28761]]


                Proclamation 8817 of May 11, 2012

                
Mother's Day, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Mothers are cornerstones of our families and our 
                communities. On Mother's Day, we honor the remarkable 
                women who strive and sacrifice every day to ensure 
                their children have every opportunity to pursue their 
                dreams.

                Our Nation first came together to celebrate Mother's 
                Day on May 11, 1913, with the introduction of a House 
                Resolution requesting President Woodrow Wilson, Members 
                of Congress, and officials across the Federal 
                Government wear white carnations in honor of America's 
                mothers. Today, we continue to mark Mother's Day by 
                paying tribute to the women who shape our characters 
                and set our families up for success. Through their 
                example, our children learn the principles of hard 
                work, compassion, service, and personal responsibility. 
                Through their encouragement and unconditional support, 
                they instill the confidence and values so vital to our 
                children's success.

                Mothers raise children under an array of circumstances, 
                and many work long hours inside and outside the home 
                balancing myriad demands. Mothers are leaders and 
                trailblazers in every part of our society--from 
                classrooms to boardrooms, at home and overseas, on the 
                beat and on the bench. We celebrate the efforts of all 
                our Nation's mothers, and we recognize that when more 
                households are relying on women as primary or co-
                breadwinners, the success of women in our economy is 
                essential to the success of our families, our 
                communities, and our country. That is why I created the 
                White House Council on Women and Girls as one of my 
                first acts in office--to ensure we integrate the needs 
                of women and girls into every decision we make. I was 
                proud to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which 
                continues to help women secure equal pay for equal 
                work, and my Administration continues to promote 
                workplace flexibility so no mother has to choose 
                between her job and her child. And because of the 
                Affordable Care Act, women finally have more power to 
                make choices about their health care, and they have 
                expanded access to a wide variety of preventive 
                services such as mammograms at no additional cost.

                Today, let us pay respect to mothers across America by 
                embracing the women who continue to guide and inspire 
                us, and by holding fast to the memories of those who 
                live on in our hearts.

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

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 13, 
                2012, as Mother's Day. I urge all Americans to express 
                love and gratitude to mothers everywhere, and I call 
                upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities.

[[Page 28762]]

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

[FR Doc. 2012-11992
Filed 5-15-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P