Presidential Proclamation -- Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2012

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2012

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On a hot summer day nearly half a century ago, an African American preacher with no official title or rank gave voice to our Nation's deepest aspirations, sharing his dream of an America that ensured the true equality of all our people.  From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a movement that would push our country toward a more perfect Union.

At a time when our Nation was sharply divided, Dr. King called on a generation of Americans to be "voices of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion."  His example stirred men and women of all backgrounds to become foot soldiers for justice, and his leadership gave them the courage to refuse the limitations of the day and fight for the prospect of tomorrow.  Because these individuals showed the resilience to stand firm in the face of the fiercest resistance, we are the benefactors of an extraordinary legacy of progress.

Today, Dr. King is memorialized on the National Mall where he once spoke, a symbol of how far our Nation has come and a testament to the quiet heroes whose names may never appear in history books, but whose selflessness brought about change few thought possible.  Dr. King's memorial reminds us that while the work of realizing his remarkable dream is unending, with persistence, progress is within our reach.

On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we celebrate the man who fought for the America he knew was possible.  Dr. King's faith in a God who loves all His children and a Nation grounded in the promise of equality would not let him rest until victory was won.  As we work to meet the challenges of our time    from fixing our schools so every child gets a world class education to ensuring all Americans have access to strong and secure economic opportunity    let us draw strength from Dr. King's stirring affirmation that "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."  In his memory, let us continue climbing toward that Promised Land, one more fair and more just for all people.

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 January 16, 2012, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday.  I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service

projects in honor of Dr. King, and to visit www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of January, 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

Presidential Proclamation -- National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Nearly a century and a half ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation -- a document that reaffirmed the noble goals of equality and freedom for all that lie at the heart of what it means to live in America.  In the years since, we have tirelessly pursued the realization and protection of these essential principles.  Yet, despite our successes, thousands of individuals living in the United States and still more abroad suffer in silence under the intolerable yoke of modern slavery.  During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations, and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.

Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders.  Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women, and children of all ages.  Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication.  From forced labor and debt bondage to forced commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, human trafficking leaves no country untouched.  With this knowledge, we rededicate ourselves to forging robust international partnerships that strengthen global anti-trafficking efforts, and to confronting traffickers here at home.

My Administration continues to implement our comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in America.  By coordinating our response across Federal agencies, we are working to protect victims of human trafficking with effective services and support, prosecute traffickers through consistent enforcement, and prevent human rights abuses by furthering public awareness and addressing the root causes of modern slavery.  The steadfast defense of human rights is an essential part of our national identity, and as long as individuals suffer the violence of slavery and human trafficking, we must continue the fight.

With the start of each year, we commemorate the anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and submitted to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. 

These documents stand as testaments to the gains we have made in pursuit of freedom and justice for all, and they remind us of the work that remains to be done.  This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.  Together, and in cooperation with our partners around the world, we can work to end this terrible injustice and protect the rights to life and liberty entrusted to us by our forebears and owed to our children.

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 January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1.  I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Presidential Trade Proclamation -- To Modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and for Other Purposes

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

1. Section 1205(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the "1988 Act") (19 U.S.C. 3005(a)) directs the United States International Trade Commission (the "Commission") to keep the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) under continuous review and periodically to recommend to the President such modifications to the HTS as the Commission considers necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes set forth in that subsection. The Commission has recommended modifications to the HTS pursuant to sections 1205(c) and (d) of the 1988 Act (19 U.S.C. 3005(c) and (d)) to conform the HTS to amendments made to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (the "Convention").

2. Section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act (19 U.S.C. 3006(a)) authorizes the President to proclaim modifications to the HTS based on the recommendations of the Commission under section 1205 of the 1988 Act, if he determines that the modifications are in conformity with United States obligations under the Convention and do not run counter to the national economic interest of the United States. I have determined that the modifications to the HTS proclaimed in this proclamation pursuant to section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act are in conformity with United States obligations under the Convention and do not run counter to the national economic interest of the United States.

3. Presidential Proclamation 6763 of December 23, 1994, implemented with respect to the United States, the trade agreements resulting from the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, including Schedule XX-United States of America, annexed to the Marrakesh Protocol to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (Schedule XX), that were entered into pursuant to sections 1102(a) and (e) of the 1988 Act (19 U.S.C. 2902(a) and (e)), and approved in section 101(a) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) (19 U.S.C. 3511(a)).

4. Pursuant to the authority provided in section 111 of the URAA (19 U.S.C. 3521) and sections 1102(a) and (e) of the 1988 Act, Proclamation 6763 included the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of Schedule XX. In order to ensure the continuation of such rates of duty for imported goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed, including certain technical or conforming changes within the tariff schedule.

5. Presidential Proclamation 7747 of December 30, 2003, implemented the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USSFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.2, 2.5, 2.6, and 2.12 of the USSFTA and the schedule of reductions with respect to the Republic of Singapore set forth in Annex 2B of the USSFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

6. Presidential Proclamation 7746 of December 30, 2003, implemented the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (USCFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "CFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 3.3 (including the schedule of United States duty reductions with respect to originating goods set forth in Annex 3.3 to the USCFTA), 3.7, 3.9, and 3.20(8), (9), (10), and (11) of the USCFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

7. Presidential Proclamation 7857 of December 20, 2004, implemented the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USAFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USAFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.3, 2.5, and 2.6 of the USAFTA and the schedule of reductions with respect to Australia set forth in Annex 2B of the USAFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

8. Presidential Proclamation 7971 of December 22, 2005, implemented the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (USMFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USMFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 4.1, 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.3.11, 4.3.13, 4.3.14, and 4.3.15 of the USMFTA and the schedule of reductions with respect to Morocco set forth in Annex IV of the USMFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

9. Presidential Proclamations 7987 of February 28, 2006, 7991 of March 24, 2006, 7996 of March 31, 2006, 8034 of June 30, 2006, 8111 of February 28, 2007, 8331 of December 23, 2008, and 8536 of June 12, 2010, implemented the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (the "CAFTA-DR Agreement") with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "CAFTA-DR Act") (19 U.S.C. 4031), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.21, 3.26, 3.27, and 3.28, and Annexes 3.3 (including the schedule of the United States duty reductions with respect to originating goods), 3.27, and 3.28 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

10. Presidential Proclamation 8039 of July 27, 2006, implemented the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (USBFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USBFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in rates of duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2.8, and 3.2.9, and the schedule of reductions with respect to Bahrain set forth in Annex 2-B of the USBFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

11. Presidential Proclamation 8332 of December 29, 2008, implemented the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (USOFTA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USOFTA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.2.8, and 3.2.9, and the schedule of duty reductions with respect to Oman set forth in Annex 2-B of the USOFTA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

12. Presidential Proclamation 8341 of January 16, 2009, implemented the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (USPTPA) with respect to the United States and, pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (the "USPTPA Act") (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), the staged reductions in duty that the President determined to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply articles 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.3.13, and Annex 2.3 of the USPTPA. In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods under tariff categories that are being modified to reflect the amendments to the Convention, I have determined that additional modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions previously proclaimed.

13. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the "Trade Act") (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the HTS the substance of the provisions of that Act, or other acts affecting import treatment, and actions taken thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. Section 1206(c) of the 1988 Act (19 U.S.C. 3006(c)) provides that any modifications proclaimed by the President under section 1206(a) of that Act may not take effect before the thirtieth day after the date on which the text of the proclamation is published in the Federal Register.

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, including but not limited to sections 1102 and 1206 of the 1988 Act, section 111 of the URAA, section 201 of the USSFTA Act, section 201 of the CFTA Act, section 201 of the USAFTA Act, section 201 of the USMFTA Act, section 201 of the CAFTA-DR Act, section 201 of the USBFTA Act, section 201 of the USOFTA Act, section 201 of the USPTPA Act, section 604 of the Trade Act, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, do proclaim that:

(1) In order to modify the HTS to conform it to the Convention or any amendment thereto recommended for adoption, to promote the uniform application of the Convention, to establish additional subordinate tariff categories, and to make technical and conforming changes to existing provisions, the HTS is modified as set forth in Annex I of Publication 4276 of the United States International Trade Commission, entitled, "Modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Under Section 1206 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988," which is incorporated by reference into this proclamation.

(2) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Singapore under the USSFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the dates specified in subsections F1 and F2 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in subsection F1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such subsection followed by the symbol ("SG") inserted in lieu thereof; and

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection F2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(3) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Chile under the USCFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in subsections C1 and C2 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in subsection C1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such subsection followed by the symbol ("CL") inserted in lieu thereof; and

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection C2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(4) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Australia under the USAFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in subsections A1 through A4 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in section A1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such subsection followed by the symbol ("AU") inserted in lieu thereof;

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsections A2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II;

(c) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for the subheading enumerated in subsection A3 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II; and

(d) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection A4 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(5) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Morocco under the USMFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in sections G1 through G4 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in subsection section G1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such section followed by the symbol ("MA") inserted in lieu thereof;

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection G2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II;

(c) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection G3 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II; and

(d) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for the subheadings enumerated in subsection G4 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(6) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods under general note 29 to the HTS that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in sections D and I of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in section D of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such section followed by the symbol ("P") inserted in lieu thereof; and

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in section I shall be modified as set forth in that section of Annex II.

(7) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Bahrain under the USBFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in subsections B1 and B2 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in section B1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such section followed by the symbol ("BH") inserted in lieu thereof; and

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection B2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(8) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Oman under the USOFTA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for
consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in subsections E1 and E2 of Annex II of Publication 4276,

(a) the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in subsection E1 of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such section followed by the symbol ("OM") inserted in lieu thereof; and

(b) the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the subheadings enumerated in subsection E2 shall be modified as set forth in that subsection of Annex II.

(9) In order to provide for the continuation of previously proclaimed staged duty reductions in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for originating goods of Peru under the USPTPA that are classifiable in the provisions modified by Annex I of Publication 4276 and entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after each of the dates specified in section H of Annex II of Publication 4276, the rate of duty in the HTS set forth in the Rates of Duty 1 Special subcolumn for each of the HTS subheadings enumerated in section H of Annex II shall be deleted and the rate of duty provided in such section followed by the symbol ("PE") inserted in lieu thereof.

(10) The United States Trade Representative is authorized to fulfill my obligations under section 103 of the USSFTA, section 103 of the USCFTA, section 104 of the USAFTA, section 104 of the USMFTA, section 104 of the USBFTA, and section 104 of the USOFTA to obtain advice from the appropriate advisory committees and the Commission on the proposed implementation of an action by presidential proclamation; to submit a report on such proposed action to the appropriate congressional committees; and to consult with those congressional committees regarding the proposed action.

(11) Any provisions of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that are inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation are superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Presidential Proclamation -- National Stalking Awareness Month, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In our schools and in our neighborhoods, at home and in workplaces across our Nation, stalking endangers the physical and emotional well being of millions of American men and women every year. Too often, stalking goes unreported and unaddressed, and we must take action against this unacceptable abuse. This month, we stand with all those who have been affected by stalking and strengthen our resolve to prevent this crime before it occurs.

Stalkers inspire fear through intimidation, explicit or implied threats, and nonconsensual communication often by telephone, text message, or email that can cause severe emotional and physical distress. Many victims suffer anxiety attacks, feelings of anger or helplessness, and depression. Fearing for their safety, some are forced to relocate or change jobs to protect themselves. And, tragically, stalking can be a precursor to more violent offenses, including sexual assault and homicide. The consequences of this crime are real, and they take a profound and ongoing toll on men, women, teens, and children across our country.

Despite the dangerous reality of stalking, public awareness and legal responses to this crime remain limited. New data show that one in six women and one in 19 men have experienced stalking that caused them to be very fearful or feel that they or someone close to them were in immediate physical danger. Among men and women alike, victims are most commonly stalked by current or former intimate partners, and young adults are at the highest risk for stalking victimization. Though stalking can occur in any community, shame, fear of retribution, or concerns that they will not be supported lead many victims to forego reporting the crime to the police. As we strive to reverse this trend, we must do more to promote public awareness and support for survivors of stalking.

My Administration is working to advance protection and services for stalking victims, empower survivors to break the cycle of abuse, and bring an end to violence against women and men. With unprecedented coordination between Federal agencies, we are promoting new tools to decrease the incidence of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and we are taking action to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. To reinforce these efforts, advocates, law enforcement officials, and others who work with victims must continue to improve their capacity to respond with swift and comprehensive action. From raising awareness to pursuing criminal justice, all of us have a role to play in stopping this senseless and harmful behavior.

This month, let us come together to prevent abuse, violence, and harassment in all their forms and renew our commitment to bring care and support to those in need.

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 January 2012 as National Stalking Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to learn to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those impacted not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA