Mother's Day, 2001

Proclamation 7437 of May 9, 2001

Mother's Day, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

No matter what direction life takes us, a mother's love
and guidance are a tremendous blessing that help us to
grow up as stable, responsible, and caring individuals.
As nurturers, teachers, and protectors, mothers'
unconditional affection helps their children to blossom
into mature adults. In partnership with fathers,
mothers play a critical role in building healthy
families.

Anna M. Jarvis is credited with influencing the
Congress in 1914 to establish an official Mother's Day
as a tribute to her beloved mother and to all mothers.
She conceived of the day as a time when children could
formally demonstrate respect for their mothers and
reinforce family bonds.

Mothers who teach us right from wrong and to love our
neighbors merit our deepest gratitude and appreciation.
Beyond their more traditional role in rearing children,
many mothers also face responsibilities outside the
home as members of the workforce. At the same time,
they may be caring not only for their biological or
adopted children but also for stepchildren or foster
children.

Many American families are now headed solely by women,
and these women shoulder enormous responsibilities. For
the good of their families and our Nation, we must
strive to provide support and assistance to those
mothers, such as, opportunities for training and
employment; early childhood education for their young
ones; and safe, affordable, and high-quality childcare.
But fathers must also remain committed and involved in
the lives of their children. By fulfilling their
financial and nurturing responsibilities, fathers help
ensure the well-being of their children and ease the
burden on those women who carry the primary
responsibility of caring for their families.

Whatever their circumstances, mothers demonstrate daily
how their devotion, strength, and wisdom make all the
difference in the lives of their children. To honor
mothers, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved
May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second
Sunday in May each year as ``Mother's Day'' and
requested the President to call for its appropriate
observance.

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 May 13, 2001, as Mother's
Day. I encourage all Americans to honor the importance
of mothers and to celebrate how their love and devotion
are crucial to the well-being of children, families,
and our society.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
one, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

(Presidential Sig.)B