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

    Proclamation 9952 of October 18, 2019

    National Character Counts Week, 2019

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Since our Nation's founding, we have recognized that the good character
    of our people is vital to maintaining our freedom. The strength of our
    Union and the defense of our precious liberty require both constant
    vigilance and moral clarity. During National Character Counts Week, we
    reaffirm our commitment to developing and demonstrating admirable
    qualities to enrich our lives and the lives of others. In doing so, we
    are confident that we can positively influence the next generation of
    our Nation's leaders and inspire them to lead lives of virtue and
    integrity.
    As history teaches us, no person or piece of legislation is capable of
    securing and advancing freedom for a nation that fails to instill moral
    principles in its people. Parents, mentors, and educators have been
    instrumental in forming and developing values in our young people for

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    generations, and cultivating character is critical for our Nation's
    youth. Building strong character in our youth helps provide them with a
    moral compass that will help them navigate life's many challenges and
    decisions, and we have an obligation to set a great example for the next
    generation. To advance this goal of developing a solid foundation for
    social responsibility in our young people, First Lady Melania Trump is
    promoting the importance of the values of kindness, compassion, and
    respect through her BE BEST initiative.
    Our American story is rich with famous examples of those with
    outstanding character, including President Washington's admirable
    humility, President Lincoln's strong will and honesty, and President
    Eisenhower's courage. Character worthy of our Nation's praise is also
    found in the lives of ordinary Americans. From the service members of
    our Armed Forces and law enforcement officials to public servants and
    educators, our communities are filled with patriots who demonstrate
    selflessness, honor, respect, and devotion to duty as they perform their
    daily responsibilities. These virtues are also found in volunteers who
    reach out to those in need, members of the clergy who pray for the
    brokenhearted, children who befriend the bullied, and all those who
    extend compassion and kindness to others. These Americans fortify our
    Nation's ideals and influence future generations by leading lives
    governed by principle and conviction. By their example, they remind us
    that character is developed consciously through exemplary effort and
    respect for others.
    Throughout this week, and each day of our lives, may we strive to
    demonstrate good character through our thoughts, discourse, and deeds in
    our homes, schools, workplaces, and houses of worship. Let us set an
    example for others of the timeless values of respect, compassion,
    justice, tolerance, fairness, and integrity. May we never forget that
    our Nation is only as strong as the virtue and character of our
    citizenry.
    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 October 20 through
    October 26, 2019, 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 eighteenth day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fourth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP