[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 58199-58200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23051]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 200 / Wednesday, October 20, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 58199]]


                Proclamation 10290 of October 15, 2021

                
National Character Counts Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, each of us makes countless decisions that 
                ultimately define our character and who we are as 
                people. Life's daily choices may not always seem 
                consequential, but they have tremendous potential to 
                transform our communities, our country, and our world. 
                Our words have the power to lift up or tear down, to 
                inspire or discourage, and to comfort or torment. Our 
                actions have the power to create or destroy, to heal or 
                to hurt, and to unify or divide.

                As Americans, our individual character--the sum of 
                qualities that defines who we are and how we treat one 
                another--shapes the character of our Nation and shapes 
                the world we leave for our children. Our character is 
                defined and revealed by the choices we make over a 
                lifetime and, in the case of our Nation, from 
                generation to generation. As we celebrate National 
                Character Counts Week, I encourage all Americans to 
                examine and embody the highest ideals that define our 
                Nation and that have helped us overcome our greatest 
                challenges.

                I have long said that the story of America is the story 
                of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is a 
                story of strength and resilience, courage and 
                character. Today, our Nation faces tests like very few 
                before--from fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and 
                addressing longstanding inequities and injustices, to 
                confronting the ravages of climate change, and 
                responding to threats to our very democracy. Despite 
                these trials, it is the character of the American 
                people--courageous, selfless, and community-minded--
                that is pulling us through. As we see in our first 
                responders on the frontlines of the pandemic helping 
                their communities with selfless compassion, in our 
                service members bravely serving around the globe, in 
                our scientists pursuing knowledge with integrity, in 
                our firefighters combating wildfires, and in our 
                teachers and parents and students adapting to new 
                learning environments with patience and determination--
                Americans are meeting the moment by working to see that 
                we overcome our challenges together.

                Character is also revealed by our choices. We must 
                choose to uphold the dignity of all Americans by 
                protecting their health and security, investing in 
                their education and development, helping the needy and 
                the vulnerable, and erasing the stain of hate and 
                discrimination from our society. On this and so many 
                other tasks, I firmly believe that the American people 
                are up to the challenge.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 October 17 
                through October 23, 2021, as National Character Counts 
                Week. I encourage all Americans to set aside 
                differences and join in efforts of service that 
                contribute to their communities.

[[Page 58200]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-23051
Filed 10-19-21; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P