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 Proc. 8801 the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 17, 2012, as National Equal Pay Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize the full value of women’s skills and their significant contributions to the labor force, acknowledge the injustice of wage discrimination, and join efforts to achieve equal pay.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of April, 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.

BARACK OBAMA

Proclamation 8801 of April 20, 2012

''By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation'' When President Theodore Roosevelt first took office over a century ago, he embarked on a tour of the American West that would change his life and the life of our Nation forever. He traveled from Yellowstone’s geysers, to Yosemite’s granite cliffs, to Dakota’s Badlands, ever moved by the natural wonders of which he and all Americans were proud inheritors. As he explored wild country, he heard a call to preserve our country’s heritage that echoed throughout our forests and river valleys. He remarked of the Grand Canyon, "the ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it."

From that sense of commitment sprang five National Parks, 18 National Monuments, 51 Federal bird reservations, and 150 National Forests. From that commitment sprang an effort to save the great Redwoods of California and the Petrified Forest of Arizona, the great bird rocks of the Aleutian Islands and the Tongass of Alaska. President Roosevelt inspired a breathtaking legacy of conservation that has forever enriched our lives, and in the decades since his historic journey, millions have worked to build on his enduring mission. When the fate of our lands and waters has been cast into doubt, they have taken the long view—that as Americans and as inhabitants of this one small planet, it is up to us to preserve our national heritage for our children, grandchildren, and for the generations to come.

That spirit drives my Administration today. Since I took office, we have set aside more than 2 million acres of Federal wilderness and thousands of miles of trails and rivers under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. Last November, I was proud to establish the Fort Monroe National Monument, forever enshrining a site of profound historical and cultural significance. Today, I designated Fort Ord as a National Monument that will not only protect one of the crown jewels of California’s coast—a world-class destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts—but also honor the heroism and dedication of men and women who served our Nation during the major conflicts of the 20th century. And with the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, we continue to advance a smarter, more community-driven conservation and recreation strategy. We are partnering with cities and States to make it easier for families to spend time outside no matter where they live, and we are working to create jobs, boost rural 40