[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9351 of October 16, 2015

National Character Counts Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Since our Nation's founding, generations of people of goodwill have
contributed to the basic notion that America succeeds when we look out
for one another and lend a hand to building a brighter future for our
children and grandchildren. As we celebrate National Character Counts
Week, we draw inspiration from those who paved the way for greater
tolerance and empathy among all people, recognize the efforts and
abilities of those around us, and work to carry forward our common
principles and instill them in the hearts and minds of future
generations.
In every corner of our country and the globe, we see ordinary people
whose desire to make a difference reflects the best of our innate human
character. They are the brave men and women in uniform who serve and
sacrifice to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and the educators

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and mentors who tirelessly strive to lift up the lives of those who look
up to them. They are parents and coaches and neighbors and colleagues,
and in every community they are combatting cynicism and working to
realize a better tomorrow for strangers and friends alike. Whether they
are the first responders who keep us safe or simply good-hearted
citizens, these individuals exemplify our shared values and stand for a
powerful fundamental truth: Our society is what we make of it, and each
of us--no matter who we are or where we come from--can make meaningful
change in the lives of others.
This week, as we hold true to the ideals that bind us together, let us
remind our children of their important role in charting our journey
forward and empower them with strength and conviction to pursue progress
with hope and compassion. If they are able to draw on the inherent
qualities of our Nation's character--our commitment to each other, our
courage and optimism in the face of challenges, and our determination to
make the world we share a better place--I am confident they will
continue serving as stewards of kindness and charity and contributing to
a fairer, more generous, more peaceful America.
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 October 18 through
October 24, 2015, as National Character Counts Week. I call upon public
officials, educators, parents, students, and all Americans to observe
this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA