[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53233-53234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21188]



[[Page 53231]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 167

August 28, 2013

Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 9003--Women's Equality Day, 2013



Proclamation 9004--50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs 
and Freedom
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 167 / Wednesday, August 28, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 9003 of August 23, 2013

                
Women's Equality Day, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On August 26, 1920, after decades of organizing, 
                agitating, and demonstrating, our country achieved a 
                major victory for women's rights and American 
                democracy. The 19th Amendment was certified, extending 
                the vote to women and advancing our Nation's long 
                journey toward full equality for all Americans. The 
                ratification of the 19th Amendment paved the way for 
                more women to participate in American politics--as 
                leaders, candidates, voters, and volunteers. Today, 
                women make up the majority of the electorate, and last 
                year a record number of women were elected to the 
                United States Congress. On Women's Equality Day, we 
                celebrate the progress that has been made, and renew 
                our commitment to securing equal rights, freedoms, and 
                opportunities for women everywhere.

                From the beginning, my Administration has been 
                committed to advancing the historic march toward gender 
                equality. We have fought for equal pay, prohibited 
                gender discrimination in America's healthcare system, 
                and established the White House Council on Women and 
                Girls, which works to ensure fair treatment in all 
                matters of public policy. In March, I signed a 
                reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, 
                which provides better tools to law enforcement to 
                reduce domestic and sexual violence, strengthens 
                support systems, and extends protections to even more 
                women. And earlier this year, the Department of Defense 
                announced plans to remove roadblocks that prevent women 
                from serving the country they love at the highest 
                levels their extraordinary valor and talent will take 
                them.

                Yet we have more work to do. A fair deal for women is 
                essential to a thriving middle class, but while women 
                graduate college at higher rates than men, they still 
                make less money after graduation and often have fewer 
                opportunities to enter well-paid occupations or receive 
                promotions. On average, women are paid 77 cents for 
                every dollar paid to men. That is why the first bill I 
                signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It is also 
                why I established the National Equal Pay Task Force, 
                which is cracking down on equal pay violations at a 
                record rate. And it is why I issued a Presidential 
                Memorandum calling for a Government-wide strategy to 
                close any gender pay gap within the Federal workforce. 
                To build on this work, I will continue to urge the 
                Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that 
                would strengthen the Equal Pay Act and give women more 
                tools to challenge unequal wages. My Administration 
                will also continue our campaign to engage women and 
                girls in science, technology, engineering, and 
                mathematics careers, and we will broaden our efforts to 
                empower women and girls around the world.

                As we reflect with pride on decades of progress toward 
                gender equality, we must also resolve to make progress 
                in our time. Today, we honor the pioneers of women's 
                equality by doing our part to realize that great 
                American dream--the dream of a Nation where all things 
                are possible for all people.

                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 August 26, 2013, as 
                Women's Equality Day. I call upon the people of the 
                United States

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                to celebrate the achievements of women and promote 
                gender equality in our country.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-21188
Filed 8-27-13; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F3