Mother's Day, 2012

Proclamation 8817 of May 11, 2012

Mother's Day, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Mothers are cornerstones of our families and our
communities. On Mother's Day, we honor the remarkable
women who strive and sacrifice every day to ensure
their children have every opportunity to pursue their
dreams.

Our Nation first came together to celebrate Mother's
Day on May 11, 1913, with the introduction of a House
Resolution requesting President Woodrow Wilson, Members
of Congress, and officials across the Federal
Government wear white carnations in honor of America's
mothers. Today, we continue to mark Mother's Day by
paying tribute to the women who shape our characters
and set our families up for success. Through their
example, our children learn the principles of hard
work, compassion, service, and personal responsibility.
Through their encouragement and unconditional support,
they instill the confidence and values so vital to our
children's success.

Mothers raise children under an array of circumstances,
and many work long hours inside and outside the home
balancing myriad demands. Mothers are leaders and
trailblazers in every part of our society--from
classrooms to boardrooms, at home and overseas, on the
beat and on the bench. We celebrate the efforts of all
our Nation's mothers, and we recognize that when more
households are relying on women as primary or co-
breadwinners, the success of women in our economy is
essential to the success of our families, our
communities, and our country. That is why I created the
White House Council on Women and Girls as one of my
first acts in office--to ensure we integrate the needs
of women and girls into every decision we make. I was
proud to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which
continues to help women secure equal pay for equal
work, and my Administration continues to promote
workplace flexibility so no mother has to choose
between her job and her child. And because of the
Affordable Care Act, women finally have more power to
make choices about their health care, and they have
expanded access to a wide variety of preventive
services such as mammograms at no additional cost.

Today, let us pay respect to mothers across America by
embracing the women who continue to guide and inspire
us, and by holding fast to the memories of those who
live on in our hearts.

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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 13,
2012, as Mother's Day. I urge all Americans to express
love and gratitude to mothers everywhere, and 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
eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.