Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3664

 123STA T . 3 64 4 PROCL A M AT I O N8 3 7 6 — MA Y 8 , 2 0 0 9andthusgivem i l ita ry s po uses more time f or themselves and their fam - ilies .T o assist spouses w ho are c oping with the a b sence of a loved one , individuals can listen and offer their counsel. A mericans can also volunteer through the many organi z ations that provide assistance to military families. O ur N ation maintains a sacred trust with every individual who serves. M y Administration is committed to showing our Nation ’ s gratitude for them by honoring our obligations to their families. NO W ,T HER E F ORE, I , B ARA CK OBAMA, P resident of the U nited S tates of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 8, 20 0 9 , as Military Spouse D ay. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and ac- tivities today and in the future. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of May, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8376 o fM a y 8 ,20 0 9Mother’sDay,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation The time-honored tradition of recognizing mothers grew out of the imagination of a few bold women. J ulia Ward Howe, composer of T he Battle H ymn of the R e pub lic, urged mothers to advocate for peace through a day dedicated to them. After her own mother passed away, Anna Jarvis sought to recognize the great influence mothers have on society. These efforts led to the recognition of mothers through a Con- gressional Resolution and President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation of the first Mother’s Day in 1 91 4 . Today, we proudly carry forward this tradition in honor of mothers, the special women whose love and les- sons profoundly impact our lives. Mothers are the bedroc k of the American family — vital to their chil- dren’s growth and happiness and to the success of our country. Chil- dren’s lives are shaped by their mothers, whose care provides the foun- dation for their development. Mothers instill the values and confidence that help define their children’s character and self-esteem, and offer a guiding clarity of spirit. Mothers are role models, teachers, and sources of unconditional support. There is no substitute for the bond of love between mother and child, and nothing is more worthy of reverence. Across America, mothers raise children under an array of cir- cumstances. They may care for a child with the help of a spouse, fam- ily members, and friends, or they may do this j ob alone as a single par- ent. They may be biological mothers, adoptive mothers, or foster moth- ers, but all open their hearts to their children and nurture them through their life journey. Caring for children also means putting food