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

 
PROCLAMATION 8904--NOV. 9, 2012

Proclamation 8904 of November 9, 2012

American Education Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All children deserve access to a world-class education and the chance to
pursue their dreams. Our schools are a gateway to those opportunities
and the key to our Nation's economic prosperity and civic life. This
week, we reaffirm our national mission of educating our students and
training our workers better than any other country on earth.
My Administration is committed to enhancing American education by
raising standards, making higher education more affordable, and
preparing students for high-skill jobs and civic participation. We
launched Race to the Top--the most meaningful reform for our public
schools in a generation--to invest in innovative State plans that
support and improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. We
reconfigured the student loan program to eliminate wasteful subsidies to
banks and put students' needs first, increasing financial aid for
millions of young people. We also invested in training programs that
partner community colleges with high-growth industries--making it
possible for young Americans to graduate into the workforce equipped for
success.

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Each of us has a role to play in helping our students thrive. Dedicated
teachers, administrators, and other education professionals work
tirelessly on behalf of America's young people. Outside of the
classroom, parents, mentors, community leaders, local businesses, and
public institutions help foster a love of learning in our students,
sparking creativity, instilling a positive work ethic, and giving our
children the tools needed to realize their full potential.
America is a country where no matter what you look like or where you
come from, if you are willing to work hard, you can go as far as your
talents will take you. During American Education Week, we recommit to
keeping the promise of education alive for this generation and the next,
because when we give our children the best chance to succeed, there is
no telling what they might accomplish.
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 November 11 to
November 17, 2012, as American Education Week. I call upon all Americans
to observe this week by supporting their local schools through
appropriate activities, events, and programs designed to help create
opportunities for every school and student in America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
seventh.
BARACK OBAMA