For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 11, 2001
Mother's Day, 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
respon-sibilities, 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 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
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