Mother's Day, 1994

Proclamation 6683 of May 5, 1994

Mother's Day, 1994

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

With the signing of the first Mother's Day Proclamation
80 years ago, President Woodrow Wilson set aside the
second Sunday in May as a special time to pay tribute
to America's mothers. This year I join with Americans
across this great land on May 8, 1994, to honor our
mothers with the appreciation and affection they so
richly deserve.

Indisputably, the role of mothers has changed greatly
in the last half-century. They are bread makers and
breadwinners, heads of households and heads of state,
caretakers of elderly parents and of newborn infants.
They are also volunteers in our communities, schools,
and religious organizations. Mothers find time to
inspire and challenge their children to dream big
dreams and to do good deeds. They provide encouragement
to their children to reach for the stars and to strive
for excellence. When our mothers succeed, our children
succeed. When children succeed, our Nation's future is
assured.

Mothers are not only our life-givers, but they are also
our nurturers who sustain us with deep and
unconditional love. In a world of constant change, they
establish a reliable foundation of unchanging values.
By instilling strong moral principles and showing
concern for social improvement and well-being, mothers
have used their talents, ideals, and energies to shape
our families, communities, and Nation. For their
abiding devotion, love, patience, and loyalty, mothers,
whether biological, foster, or adoptive, hold an
enduring place in our hearts. They are anchors of their
American families--our Nation's most important source
of strength. My own mother's courage and determination
profoundly influenced me in so many ways, and she will
always remain a guiding force throughout my life.

Mother's Day gives us time to pause and reflect on the
manner in which mothers contribute to their families
and the Nation through their hard work, dedication, and
daily sacrifices. We can best observe Mother's Day by
expressing our thanks and our gratitude for the
blessings and bounties that motherhood holds.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday,
May 8, 1994, as ``Mother's Day.'' I urge all Americans
to express their love and respect for their mothers and
to consider how much they have contributed to the well-
being of our country. I call upon all citizens to
observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
eighteenth.

(Presidential Sig.)>