National Character Counts Week, 2014

Proclamation 9196 of October 17, 2014

National Character Counts Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For generations, our Nation's beliefs in mutual
respect, shared responsibility, and equality for all
have strengthened our bond as a people and guided our
path--uniting us in times of crisis and inspiring us in
moments of triumph. During National Character Counts
Week, we reaffirm the principles that built America and
dedicate ourselves to passing on our highest ideals to
our children.

We see the true character of our country in the
examples set by the work and lives of our people. We
see it in the educators, mentors, and parents who teach
our kids not only to understand math and history, but
also to know and show compassion and respect. We see it
in first responders who put themselves in harm's way to
protect strangers, and in our men and women in uniform
who selflessly serve the land we love and defend the
values we cherish. And we see it in small acts of
kindness that define who we are as Americans and help
us recognize our common humanity.

When we give our daughters and sons a foundation of
integrity, hard work, and responsibility, and when we
empower them with the courage to choose these values in
the face of cynicism, we prepare them for a lifetime of
engaged citizenship and create stronger communities
across America. This week, and all year long, let us
all do our part to ensure the fundamental tenets that
have shaped our Union from its founding continue to
sustain us and draw out the best in each of us.

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 October 19 through
October 25, 2014, as National Character Counts Week. I
call upon public officials, educators, parents,
students, and all Americans to observe this week with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.