Mother's Day, 2008

Proclamation 8253 of May 8, 2008

Mother's Day, 2008

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Mother's Day, we honor the grace, wisdom, and
strength of our mothers, and we celebrate the special
bonds shared between mothers and their children.

Mothers work tirelessly to help their children build
healthy and successful lives. Through their positive
examples and countless acts of kindness, mothers teach
the values of generosity and compassion and the
importance of family and community. As President Ronald
Reagan said, ``From our mothers, we first learn about
values and caring and the difference between right and
wrong.'' By providing a nurturing environment where
their children can grow in confidence and character,
mothers lay the foundation for the next generation of
Americans to realize their full potential.

Our Nation is grateful for the sacrifices mothers make
every day and for the unconditional love they give
their children. We are especially thankful for the
mothers who support their sons and daughters serving in
our Armed Forces and for the mothers who bring honor to
the uniform of the United States by defending our
freedom at home and abroad.

Every child blessed with a mother's love has been given
one of life's great gifts. On this Mother's Day, we
recognize the extraordinary contributions America's
mothers make to their children, their families, and our
country.

To honor mothers, 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. May God bless
mothers across America on this special day and
throughout the year.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 11,
2008, as Mother's Day. I encourage all Americans to
show their gratitude and love to mothers for making a
difference in the lives of their children, families,
and communities. I call upon citizens to observe this
day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
eight, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and thirty-second.