[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 126, 112th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8817--MAY 11, 2012

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.
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


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Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA