[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