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

    Proclamation 9967 of November 22, 2019

    National Family Week, 2019

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    The strength of our Republic is not measured only by our military might
    and robust economy but also by the strength of our family bonds.
    Families shape our values, develop our character, and teach us to love,
    forgive, and become productive citizens and responsible members of
    society. During National Family Week, we pause to reflect on the
    importance of the family--the bedrock of our Nation.
    Since I took office, my Administration has empowered families. We are
    currently in the midst of the longest economic recovery in our Nation's
    history, which is improving quality of life and stability for families
    of all types. Thanks to our economic policies, which include eliminating
    unnecessary and burdensome regulations and the enactment of the Tax Cuts
    and Jobs Act, we have seen the unemployment rate drop to a half-century
    low, real median household income reach a record high, and the poverty
    rate fall to its lowest level since 2001. We have fought for families by
    securing a doubling of the Child Tax Credit, preserving the Child and
    Dependent Care Credit, signing into law the largest ever increase in
    child care and development block grants--a major new investment in child
    care affordability--and developing a tax credit for employers who offer
    paid family and medical leave. We continue to call on the Congress to
    pass a nationwide paid family leave program.
    Last year, I signed into law the Family First Prevention Services Act,
    which reimagines and reorients our Nation's child welfare system toward
    keeping at-risk families intact in their own homes and communities and
    minimizing the need for foster care. This legislation provides funding
    for mental health therapy, family counseling, addiction treatment, and
    parenting classes. Additionally, we are working to expand adoption
    providers so that children of all ages in the foster care system can
    experience what every child deserves--a loving family in a forever home.

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    For some of our Nation's families, the incarceration of a loved one is a
    tremendous challenge. My Administration is proud that the reunification
    and strengthening of families is one of the many benefits of our
    criminal justice reform efforts. Since maintaining family and community
    ties is key to the successful reentry of prisoners into society, the
    bipartisan First Step Act, which I signed into law in 2018, includes
    provisions that allow inmates to be placed closer to their home
    communities, which facilitates family visitation. Further, it includes
    reasonable sentencing reforms that make our criminal justice system
    fairer by reducing excessive penalties for certain drug offenders, which
    allows families to reunify more quickly.
    This week, we vow always to cherish, honor, protect, and respect the
    incredible gift of family and renew our commitment to strengthening and
    celebrating all of our Nation's families. A stable, loving family is one
    of life's greatest blessings. It provides support, comfort, guidance,
    acceptance, and joy.
    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 24 through
    November 30, 2019, 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 twenty-second day
    of November, 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