American Education Week, 2013

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 224

November 20, 2013

Part II

The President

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Proclamation 9058--American Education Week, 2013

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9058 of November 15, 2013

American Education Week, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Education is both a pillar of democracy and a
cornerstone of American opportunity. In an increasingly
competitive world, it gives our children the tools to
thrive and our Nation the talent to lead. During
American Education Week, we reaffirm our commitment to
the next generation, and we celebrate everyone who is
striving to help America's young people realize their
full potential.

Every day throughout America, our children mark the
many milestones of learning--from scribbling their
first attempts at the alphabet to conducting their
first science experiment to crossing the stage at
commencement. The educators who guide them deserve our
highest admiration, respect, and support for investing
in young people's futures. We all have a stake in
public education, and we all have a role to play--from
parents and mentors to community leaders and business
owners. Through programs focused on tutoring, sports,
the arts, and vocational training, we can inspire
children to learn both inside and outside the
classroom.

A great education is a ticket into the middle class,
and it should be available to everyone willing to work
for it. My Administration is committed to reining in
college costs and reducing the burden student loans
place on young people. We are also moving forward on a
plan to connect 99 percent of America's students to
high-speed internet within 5 years; pushing to make
high-quality early education accessible to every child
in America; and working to strengthen programs in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Because none of these plans will succeed without
outstanding teachers, we must support these
professionals as they perform their vital work.

As we move toward Thanksgiving, American Education Week
offers a chance to express our gratitude to educators
across our Nation. Let us do so with a renewed
commitment to giving every young American the
opportunities a world-class education affords.

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 17 to
November 23, 2013, as American Education Week. I call
upon all Americans to observe this week by supporting
their local schools through appropriate activities,
events, and programs designed to help create
opportunities for every school and student in America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.