    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9881 of May 9, 2019

    Military Spouse Day, 2019

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Military spouses share an admirable legacy of unwavering devotion to
    their loved ones in uniform and to the cause of freedom. Wives and
    husbands stand faithfully beside their beloved service members and play
    a critical role in their ability to safeguard our country. They shoulder
    tremendous burdens and responsibilities and face demands that most
    families will never endure. Military spouses earn no rank or
    compensation, yet their contributions to our military might are
    invaluable. On Military Spouse Day, we honor our Nation's military
    spouses and express our deep appreciation for all that they do.
    The nomadic nature of military life places tremendous pressure on
    military families. Frequent relocations, which require leaving behind
    the familiar--home, school, work, church, and friends--are commonplace.
    Military spouses nevertheless find ways to improve their communities, on
    and off the base, and to thrive in spite of the numerous hardships.
    Military spouses also demonstrate sacrificial love and provide essential
    support and encouragement to their service members during deployments.
    They comfort fearful and anxious children, balance work and school
    demands, and keep things going on the home front with uncommon grace and
    resourcefulness, despite the loneliness and anxiety that often accompany
    an extended absence.
    Frequent relocation also imposes substantial economic costs on our
    military families. For example, it results in unemployment and
    underemployment of military spouses. My Administration, therefore, is
    committed to enhancing opportunities for our Nation's military spouses.
    Last year, I was pleased to sign an Executive Order requiring Federal
    agencies to promote the use of existing military spouse noncompetitive
    hiring authority to the greatest extent possible, providing
    significantly greater opportunity for military spouses to be considered
    for Government positions. The Department of Defense's Military Spouse
    Employment Partnership has brought together more than 390 companies and
    organizations committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining
    military spouses. Since the initiative's inception in 2011, these
    devoted partners have hired more than 130,000 military spouses.
    Employers who hire these spouses benefit from the tremendous talent,
    breadth of experience, and determination these men and women have
    learned from navigating the demands of military life.
    I encourage all who enjoy the blessings of freedom--preserved and
    defended by our Nation's military and their families--to find ways to
    support our incredible military spouses. I applaud local government
    officials who have helped advance workforce freedom and mobility for
    military families. I encourage States and occupational licensing boards

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    to build on these efforts and do more to improve license portability,
    removing barriers to military spouses remaining in the workforce
    following a change in duty station. Community leaders can also raise
    awareness about programs like Military OneSource, a one-stop resource
    for information, support, and referrals on every aspect of military
    life. And in neighborhoods nationwide, families can reach out, in word
    and deed, to spouses who are working to meet the unique challenges of
    military life.
    Military spouses are among our country's unsung heroes and are at the
    heart of our Armed Forces. They embody strength and resilience, and
    represent the best of American patriotism, courage, character, and
    pride. As a Nation, we must ensure our military spouses receive the
    unparalleled and unwavering support they deserve. On this Military
    Spouse Day, Melania and I salute the extraordinary women and men who
    serve as military spouses and offer our prayers, respect, and gratitude
    on behalf of a grateful 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 May 10, 2019, as
    Military Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States to
    honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May,
    in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence
    of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.
    DONALD J. TRUMP