[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 19 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Pages 732-733]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7437--Mother's Day, 2001

 May 9, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    No matter what direction life takes us, a mother's love and guidance 
are a tremendous blessing that help us to grow up as stable, 
responsible, and caring individuals. As nurturers, teachers, and 
protectors, mothers' unconditional affection helps their children to 
blossom into mature adults. In partnership with fathers, mothers play a 
critical role in building healthy families.
    Anna M. Jarvis is credited with influencing the Congress in 1914 to 
establish an official Mother's Day as a tribute to her beloved mother 
and to all mothers. She conceived of the day as a time when children 
could formally demonstrate respect for their mothers and reinforce 
family bonds.
    Mothers who teach us right from wrong and to love our neighbors 
merit our deepest gratitude and appreciation. Beyond their more 
traditional role in rearing children, many mothers also face 
responsibilities outside the home as members of the workforce. At the 
same time, they may be caring not only for their biological or adopted 
children but also for stepchildren or foster children.
    Many American families are now headed solely by women, and these 
women shoulder enormous responsibilities. For the good of their families 
and our Nation, we must strive to provide support and assistance to 
those mothers, such as, opportunities for training and employment; early 
childhood education for their young ones; and safe, affordable, and 
high-quality childcare. But fathers must also remain committed and 
involved in the lives of their children. By fulfilling their financial 
and nurturing responsibilities, fathers help ensure the well-being of 
their children and ease the burden on those women who carry the primary 
responsibility of caring for their families.
    Whatever their circumstances, mothers demonstrate daily how their 
devotion, strength, and wisdom make all the difference in the lives of 
their children. To honor mothers, the Congress, by a joint resolution 
approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in 
May each year as ``Mother's Day'' and requested the President to call 
for its appropriate observance.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2001, as Mother's 
Day. I encourage all Americans to honor the importance of mothers and to 
celebrate how their love and devotion are crucial to the well-being of 
children, families, and our society.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 10, 
2001]

      

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 11, and it was published in the Federal Register on May 
11.

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