National Grandparents Day, 2016

/ Presidential Documents

Proclamation 9490 of September 9, 2016

National Grandparents Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every day, families and communities across the globe
benefit from the too often unheralded wisdom and
devotion of dedicated grandparents--women and men who
blazed trails, broke down barriers, and shaped the
world we know today. On National Grandparents Day, we
honor America's grandparents as the backbone of our
communities, and acknowledge the progress they forged
so that their children and grandchildren could live out
their dreams.

In our grandmothers and grandfathers, we see a
reflection of what is possible with hard work, grit,
and determination. Their fight for inclusivity and
opportunity for all can be seen in board rooms and
courthouses across our country, and their efforts
helped build the world's largest, most durable economy
and strongest middle class. This enduring legacy spans
generations and will empower innovators and leaders for
years to come.

Some grandparents sacrificed everything, leaving behind
all they knew and loved to fight for freedom far from
home, or to start a new life and give their families a
chance at a brighter tomorrow in America. Millions of
grandparents serve as primary caregivers, providing the
discipline, guidance, and encouragement needed to
thrive. And for so many Americans, our grandparents are
our heroes, our confidantes, and our fiercest
advocates. As connections to our past and inspirations
for our future, grandparents made us who we are today
and have paved a path we can aspire to follow.

Today, we pause to reflect not only on the myriad ways
our grandparents have enriched our lives with their
selfless acts of compassion and kindness, but also on
our responsibility to ensure they can retire as they
deserve--with security and dignity. Let us recognize
their lasting contributions to their families and
communities, and let us express our gratitude for all
they have made possible.

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 September 11, 2016,
as National Grandparents Day. I call upon all Americans
to take the time to honor their own grandparents and
those in their community.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-first.