National Family Week, 2006

Proclamation 8084 of November 16, 2006

National Family Week, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Families are indispensable to a stable and free
society. They pass along the traditions and principles
that help make America compassionate, decent, and
hopeful. During National Family Week, we honor our
families and recognize their contributions to keeping
our country strong.

Today's fast-changing world needs the anchor of values
and virtues that families can provide. Strong families
instill responsibility and character in our children
and teach them the ideals that make us a great Nation.
Through their love and sacrifice, America's parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and other family
members help prepare our young people to realize the
bright future America offers each child.

My Administration is committed to ensuring that our
children grow up in loving, stable homes. Earlier this
year, I signed legislation that creates new grants for
faith-based and community organizations to support
healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood. By
reducing the marriage penalty and doubling the child
tax credit, we have also provided important tax relief
that helps parents to support and provide for their
families.

During National Family Week and throughout the year, we
also extend our appreciation and support to our
courageous military families, who have borne the
hardships of war with dignity and devotion. Our Nation
has remained strong and free because the brave men and
women of our Armed Forces defend this country and our
beliefs. By supporting their loved ones in uniform, our
military families are also serving our country, and
America is grateful for their service and sacrifice.

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 November 19 through November
25, 2006, as National Family Week. I invite the States,
communities, and all the people of the United States to
join together 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
sixteenth day of November, 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.