Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 97.djvu/1599

 PROCLAMATION 5042—APR. 6, 1983 97 STAT. 1567 States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 1983, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of all local units of government to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff during this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control, and I request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the cus- tomary forenoon period. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sev- enth. RONALD REAGAN Proclamation 5042 of April 6, 1983 Mother's Day, 1983 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Traditionally, this Nation honors its mothers by designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. To our mothers we owe our highest esteem, for it is from their gift of life that the flow of events begins that shapes our destiny. A mother's love, nur- turing, and beliefs are among the strongest influences molding the develop- ment and character of our youngsters. As Henry Ward Beecher wrote, "What a mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin." Motherhood is both a great responsibility and one of the most rewarding and pleasurable experiences life has to offer. Mother's Day presents a spe- cial opportunity to appreciate our mothers—to consider all they have done, and all they continue to do, in fostering children's physical and emotional growth, nursing illness, encouraging success, easing failure, maintaining family life, supporting their spouses, contributing vitally to the economy through their accomplishments at work, and serving their communities. The quality and scope of their activities, as well as their overriding concern for the well-being of their families and our country, inspires and strengthens us as individuals and as a Nation. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby request that Sunday, May 8, 1983, be observed as Mother's Day. I direct Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings, and I urge all citizens to dis- play the flag at their homes and other suitable places on that day.

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