National Family Week, 2011

Proclamation 8756 of November 18, 2011

National Family Week, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For generations, American families have empowered our
sons and daughters with boundless love, giving them the
courage to pursue their dreams. This week, we celebrate
the threads of compassion and unity that tie our
families together, enrich our communities, and
strengthen the fabric of our Nation.

My Administration remains steadfast in our commitment
to families across America. To ensure our children get
a strong start, we are bolstering early learning
programs and promoting education reform that will do
more to bring every student the best our schools have
to offer. By investing in Pell Grants and community
colleges, we are working to make higher education
affordable for more families and build a workforce of
tomorrow that will excel in the global economy. And by
taking executive action to lighten financial burdens on
many middle class families, we are making it more
affordable to pay back student loans and easier for
homeowners to refinance their mortgages. As our
families work hard to meet their obligations, these
actions will give them the help they need to thrive in
the years to come.

During National Family Week, let us also reflect on the
contributions and sacrifices of our service members and
their loved ones. Our troops and military families
serve with valor at home and overseas, and as a Nation
we have a moral obligation to serve these patriots as
well as they have served us. To better fulfill this
promise, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden
launched Joining Forces earlier this year, an
initiative that challenges all Americans to make a
difference in the lives of our veterans and military
families.

As we gather with our loved ones this holiday season,
let us pause to give thanks to all those who share in
the trials and triumphs of our lives. Our families
illuminate our days and bring meaning to our years, and
their love has the power to see us through our greatest
challenges. This week and throughout the year, let us
strive to give back to our friends, families,
communities, and neighbors, and to work together in
pursuit of our highest ambitions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 20 through
November 26, 2011, as National Family Week. I invite
all States, communities, and individuals to join in
observing this week with appropriate ceremonies and
activities to honor our Nation's families.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.