National Family Week, 2010

Proclamation 8603 of November 18, 2010

National Family Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Like generations before them, today's American families
rely on their love and care for each other to face
challenges. During National Family Week, we celebrate
the resilient spirit of America's families and their
role in building vibrant communities and a strong
Nation.

My Administration remains committed to finding
solutions to the issues affecting American families. In
my first year in office, I established the White House
Task Force on the Middle Class, chaired by Vice
President Joe Biden, which aims to protect working
families' economic security and raise their standard of
living. And the continued success of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created more jobs, as
well as housing, educational, and child care support
for families throughout the country.

This year, I was proud to sign the Affordable Care Act,
which strengthens health security for families through
important health insurance reforms. This landmark law
allows young adults to stay on their parents' health
insurance plan until they turn 26 or have coverage
through their job, requires new plans to cover
recommended preventive care with no out-of-pocket
costs, prohibits insurance companies from denying
coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and
eliminates lifetime and annual caps on dollar amounts
insurance companies will spend on care. I also signed
the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which
provides increased funding for Pell grants to help
families cover the rising costs of higher education.

The strength of our families will determine our success
as a Nation. Families of all kinds can provide a
supportive and stable foundation to unlock the promise
in each of us. These units are the building blocks of
our neighborhoods and communities, shaping the
development of our society, instilling values in us,
and impacting our lives with their care and compassion.
During this holiday season, we especially acknowledge
the sacrifices of our brave service members and their
families who keep our loved ones safe here at home and
abroad.

This National Family Week, we recognize the importance
of the family unit in helping all Americans reach their
dreams. As we confront our challenges as a Nation, let
us support our families in creating safe, nurturing
environments for our loved ones and communities.
Together, we will build a foundation for the future
success of all of America's sons and daughters.

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 21 through
November 27, 2010, as National Family Week. I invite
all States, local 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 ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.