For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 7, 2004
Mother's Day, 2004 by the President of the United States of America a Proclamation
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
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