Mother's Day, 2016

Proclamation 9444 of May 6, 2016

Mother's Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On Mother's Day, we celebrate those who are the first
to welcome us into the world. Performing the most
important work there is, mothers--biological, foster,
or adoptive--are our first role models and earliest
motivators. They balance enormous responsibilities and
shape who we become as adults, their lessons guiding us
throughout life. Regardless of sexual orientation,
gender identity, or marital status, mothers have always
moved our Nation forward and remained steadfast in
their pursuit of a better and brighter future for their
children.

Caring and loving without condition, even in our
darkest moments, mothers put the interests of their
kids ahead of their own. They are inspiring embodiments
of strength and determined drivers of progress, and
through their example, our youth learn the values of
grace, empathy, and kindness. For generations, mothers
have led the charge toward a freer, more inclusive
country--embracing the task of ensuring our Nation
upholds its highest ideals so that they, and America's
daughters, know the same opportunities as America's
fathers and sons.

Our country's mothers deserve our unwavering support--
at home, in the workplace, and throughout our
communities. I am committed to empowering working
mothers so they do not have to choose between caring
for their family and earning their paycheck, and I will
continue fighting to ensure those who choose to become
mothers are not financially punished for doing so. My
Administration has pushed to expand child care and
strengthen paid leave, including maternity leave. We
will also keep working to close the gender pay gap--a
disparity that is contrary to our values as Americans,
limits the scope of mothers' futures, and affects those
they provide for. And earlier this year, we launched an
effort to help low-income mothers and families afford
diapers--a basic necessity for babies--by bringing
together online retailers, diaper manufacturers, and
nonprofits to reduce the high cost of diapers.

Each of us is the son or daughter of a mother. Today,
let us pay these extraordinary women the admiration and
respect they deserve. And each day, let us thank them
for all they have done for us, remember those whose
spirits remain with us, and support those who take on
the awesome mantle of motherhood.

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 8,
2016, 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
sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and fortieth.