National Family Week, 2009

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part III

The President

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Proclamation 8456--National Family Week, 2009

Proclamation 8457--National Child's Day, 2009

Proclamation 8458--Thanksgiving Day, 2009

Executive Order 13520--Reducing Improper Payments

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8456 of November 20, 2009

National Family Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

American families are the foundation on which our
Nation is built. Their expressions of unconditional
love and dedication sustain family members and support
our Nation's communities. During National Family Week,
we celebrate the inclusive spirit of American families
and applaud the commitment of those family members who
encourage us to reach new heights.

My Administration is committed to helping American
families meet the demands of modern life, increase
their self-sufficiency, and achieve their full
potential. Ten days after taking office, I established
the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working
Families, led by Vice President Biden. This Task Force
is focused on raising the living standards of working
families across the country. In addition, the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a broad spectrum
of support to families experiencing difficult times. It
boosts child care and Head Start programs, essential
not only to a child's future but also a parent's peace
of mind in the workplace. Health care reform will
provide security and stability for American families
with insurance and affordable options for uninsured
Americans.

As we continue to grow as a Nation, we must also be
engaged members of our larger family, composed of our
neighbors, our colleagues, and the community where we
live. We must appreciate the diversity of other
families' traditions; we must reach out to help
families in need; and we must take more responsibility
for the care and development of all children, not just
our own.

In this season of Thanksgiving, we are grateful that,
at our best, America is a collection of strong
families, standing united to make our Nation a place of
hope and opportunity for future generations.

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 22 through
November 28, 2009, as National Family Week. I invite
States, local communities, and individuals 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
twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.