[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 20 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[Pages 845-846]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7783--Mother's Day, 2004

May 7, 2004

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    President Theodore Roosevelt once said, ``The mother is the one 
supreme asset of national life; she is more important by far than the 
successful statesman, or business man, or artist, or scientist.'' Today, 
mothers continue to be an important part of our national character. On 
Mother's Day, we honor the women whose steadfast love and wisdom have 
made America a better place.

    During the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe, author of ``The Battle Hymn 
of the Republic,'' proposed renaming July 4 as Mother's Day and a day 
dedicated to peace. Anna Reeves Jarvis also began working for a similar 
holiday and sponsored a Mother's Friendship Day in her hometown to 
reunite families divided by the war. It was not until 2 years after her 
mother's death that her daughter, Anna M. Jarvis, started the campaign 
for the observance of Mother's Day in the United States. By 1911, 
Mother's Day was observed in nearly every State of the Union, and in 
1914, responding to a joint resolution of the Congress, President 
Woodrow Wilson officially designated Mother's Day a national observance.

    Motherhood is a rewarding and often difficult job. A mother is a 
child's first teacher and affects a child's life like few others can. 
Effective mothers can inspire their sons and daughters to love 
themselves and others, work hard, make healthy choices, serve causes 
greater than self, and achieve their dreams. Mothers who protect, teach, 
and nurture their children with all their hearts strengthen their 
families and help build a better future for our country.

    This Mother's Day, we express our heartfelt thanks to our mothers 
for their unconditional love and guidance. We take time to recognize the 
many mothers who are supporting their brave sons and daughters in the 
Armed Forces, and the many others who are themselves serving proudly in 
defense of America's freedom and security. The service and sacrifice of 
these women reflect the best of our Nation. They and their loved ones 
are in our thoughts and prayers.

    The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8, 1914, as amended 
(38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as 
``Mother's Day'' and has requested the President to call for its 
appropriate observance. In honor of all of our Nation's mothers, I am 
pleased to do so.

    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2004, as Mother's Day. I commend 
mothers for the important contributions they make to our society and 
encourage all Americans to express their love, gratitude, and respect 
for mothers, and to honor their mothers on this day and throughout the 
year.

    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 11, 2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 12. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.

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