[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29463-29464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11299]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 91 / Wednesday, May 11, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 29463]]


                Proclamation 9444 of May 6, 2016

                
Mother's Day, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On Mother's Day, we celebrate those who are the first 
                to welcome us into the world. Performing the most 
                important work there is, mothers--biological, foster, 
                or adoptive--are our first role models and earliest 
                motivators. They balance enormous responsibilities and 
                shape who we become as adults, their lessons guiding us 
                throughout life. Regardless of sexual orientation, 
                gender identity, or marital status, mothers have always 
                moved our Nation forward and remained steadfast in 
                their pursuit of a better and brighter future for their 
                children.

                Caring and loving without condition, even in our 
                darkest moments, mothers put the interests of their 
                kids ahead of their own. They are inspiring embodiments 
                of strength and determined drivers of progress, and 
                through their example, our youth learn the values of 
                grace, empathy, and kindness. For generations, mothers 
                have led the charge toward a freer, more inclusive 
                country--embracing the task of ensuring our Nation 
                upholds its highest ideals so that they, and America's 
                daughters, know the same opportunities as America's 
                fathers and sons.

                Our country's mothers deserve our unwavering support--
                at home, in the workplace, and throughout our 
                communities. I am committed to empowering working 
                mothers so they do not have to choose between caring 
                for their family and earning their paycheck, and I will 
                continue fighting to ensure those who choose to become 
                mothers are not financially punished for doing so. My 
                Administration has pushed to expand child care and 
                strengthen paid leave, including maternity leave. We 
                will also keep working to close the gender pay gap--a 
                disparity that is contrary to our values as Americans, 
                limits the scope of mothers' futures, and affects those 
                they provide for. And earlier this year, we launched an 
                effort to help low-income mothers and families afford 
                diapers--a basic necessity for babies--by bringing 
                together online retailers, diaper manufacturers, and 
                nonprofits to reduce the high cost of diapers.

                Each of us is the son or daughter of a mother. Today, 
                let us pay these extraordinary women the admiration and 
                respect they deserve. And each day, let us thank them 
                for all they have done for us, remember those whose 
                spirits remain with us, and support those who take on 
                the awesome mantle of motherhood.

                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 8, 
                2016, 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 29464]]

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

[FR Doc. 2016-11299
Filed 5-10-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P