No matter what direction life takes us, a mother's
love and guidance are a tremendous blessing that help us to grow
up as stable, responsible, and caring individuals. As nurturers,
teachers, and protectors, mothers' unconditional affection helps
their children to blossom into mature adults. In partnership with
fathers, mothers play a critical role in building healthy families.
Anna M. Jarvis is credited with influencing the Congress in 1914
to establish an official Mother's Day as a tribute to her beloved
mother and to all mothers. She conceived of the day as a time when
children could formally demonstrate respect for their mothers and
reinforce family bonds.
Mothers who teach us right from wrong and to love our neighbors
merit our deepest gratitude and appreciation. Beyond their more
traditional role in rearing children, many mothers also face responsibilities
outside the home as members of the workforce. At the same time,
they may be caring not only for their biological or adopted children
but also for stepchildren or foster children.
Many American families are now headed solely by women, and these
women shoulder enormous responsibilities. For the good of their
families and our Nation, we must strive to provide support and
assistance to those mothers, such as, opportunities for training
and employment; early childhood education for their young ones;
and safe, affordable, and high-quality childcare. But fathers must
also remain committed and involved in the lives of their children.
By fulfilling their financial and nurturing respon-sibilities,
fathers help ensure the well-being of their children and ease the
burden on those women who carry the primary responsibility of caring
for their families.
Whatever their circumstances, mothers demonstrate
daily how their devotion, strength, and wisdom make all the difference
in the lives
of their children. To honor mothers, 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, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 13, 2001,
as Mother's Day. I encourage all Americans to honor the importance
of mothers and to celebrate how their love and devotion are crucial
to the well--being of children, families, and our society.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.