[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9677 of November 17, 2017

National Family Week, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During National Family Week, we emphasize the importance of preserving
and promoting strong families, the cornerstone of our society. Families
are as diverse as our Nation. They often extend beyond moms, dads, and
their children, and include adoptive and foster parents, grandparents,
and extended relatives. But no matter their makeup, families share a
unique quality--they naturally form the fundamental unit of our society.
They hold more influence over our communities and our Nation than any
other structure, so it is incumbent upon us, as a Nation, to strengthen
and support them.
We cannot take strong families for granted. Each member of each family
must work every day to nurture the bonds of love and loyalty that form
the latticework of strong families. We can show support to our family
members by loving selflessly, forgiving quickly, and spending quality
time together.
In addition, Federal policy should be directed to facilitating the
success of our families. Tax policy is a prime example. My
Administration believes that Americans should be able to dedicate more
of their resources and earnings to the task and duty of providing for
their families. More of each paycheck should go toward supporting
families and less should be directed to an all-too-often inefficient
Federal Government. Our policies must also support working mothers, and
enable them to reach their full potential. That is why I am committed to
cutting taxes for middle-income families--including by expanding the
child tax credit--and fundamentally reforming our Nation's outdated tax
code. Our work will enable families to spend more of their hard-earned
dollars on the success of their children.
Federal policy must also guard against threats to the family. In 2016,
we lost at least 64,000 lives to opioid and other drug overdoses,
devastating American families and communities. To combat this growing
crisis, my Administration has already dedicated more than $1 billion in
funding to address the drug addiction and opioid crisis since taking
office. Last month, my Administration declared the opioid epidemic to be
a nationwide public health emergency in order to focus needed Federal
resources and attention on this critical matter. We will not abandon our
families as they fight the scourge of opioids.
Throughout our Nation's history, in times of both turmoil and triumph,
the strength and hope of the American family has sustained our citizens.
The family is our foundation, a pillar of our past, and a key to our
future prosperity. Strong families teach integrity and patriotism,
encourage and foster teamwork, and demonstrate unconditional love and
acceptance. When these foundational principles overflow from our

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homes into neighborhoods and communities, they strengthen and fortify
the Nation.
During National Family Week, we support and encourage American families
to create healthy, nurturing environments for their children and future
generations. I hope all Americans will join me in gratitude to our
Creator for the many ways families bless and enrich our lives and our
Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 19 through
November 25, 2017, as National Family Week. I invite communities,
churches, and individuals to observe this week with appropriate
ceremonies and activities to honor our Nation's families.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP