[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 38 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[Pages 1640-1641]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8054--Gold Star Mother's Day, 2006

September 20, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Since America's founding, every generation has produced patriots 
willing to sacrifice for our great Nation. Many of these proud sons and 
daughters have given everything for our freedom, and America has mourned 
the loss of every life. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we pay special 
tribute to the mothers of those lost while defending our country and 
extending the blessings of liberty to others.
    Gold Star Mothers have long borne the hardships of war with dignity 
and devotion. Through heartbreaking loss and unimaginable grief, they 
continue to support each other through difficult times, stand up for 
those wearing the uniform of the United States, and serve their 
communities in the best traditions of the American spirit. Their 
strength, compassion, and determination are an inspiration to all and a 
source of great pride for our Nation.
    America lives in freedom because of the sacrifices of America's 
finest citizens and of the mothers who raised them. In the words of 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, ``There is nothing adequate 
which anyone in any place can say to those who are entitled

[[Page 1641]]

to display the gold star in their windows.'' Each year, this observance 
is an opportunity to offer our solemn respect to Gold Star Mothers and 
renew our ongoing pledge that America will always remember those who 
died while wearing the uniform of the United States and forever honor 
their families' sacrifice.
    The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936 (49 
Stat. 1895 as amended), has designated the last Sunday in September as 
``Gold Star Mother's Day'' and has authorized and requested the 
President to issue a proclamation in its observance. On this day, we 
express our deep gratitude to our Nation's Gold Star Mothers, and we ask 
God's blessings on them and on their families.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 24, 2006, as Gold Star 
Mother's Day. I call upon all Government officials to display the flag 
of the United States over Government buildings on this solemn day. I 
also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold 
appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our Nation's sympathy 
and respect for our Gold Star Mothers.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 25, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 26.