The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--World Hepatitis Day

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Across our Nation, millions of Americans are living with viral hepatitis.  As many as three-fourths of Americans living with the disease are unaware of their status and are not receiving care and treatment for their condition.  Raising awareness about hepatitis is crucial to effectively fight stigmas, stem the tide of new infections, and ensure treatment reaches those who need it.  On World Hepatitis Day, we join with people across our country and around the globe in promoting strategies that will help save lives and prevent the spread of viral hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, and can cause a lifetime of health issues for people who contract it.  Hepatitis B and C viruses are the cause of a growing number of new liver cancer cases and liver transplants.  In the United States, hepatitis is a leading infectious cause of death, claiming the lives of thousands of Americans each year.  While we have come far, work still needs to be done to prevent and treat this disease.

Viral hepatitis touches Americans of all backgrounds, but certain groups are at greater risk than others.  Past recipients of donated blood, infants born to mothers infected with viral hepatitis, and persons with sexually transmitted diseases or behaviors such as injection-drug use have risks for viral hepatitis.  Baby boomers and African Americans have higher rates than others of contracting hepatitis C.  Half of all Americans living with hepatitis B today are of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent, and one-third of people living with HIV also have either hepatitis B or hepatitis C.  Worldwide, one in twelve people is living with viral hepatitis.

We must make sure that this "silent epidemic" does not go unnoticed by health professionals or by communities across our country.  Under the Affordable Care Act, services including hepatitis immunizations for adults and hepatitis screenings for pregnant women are fully covered by all new insurance plans.  My Administration has also released a comprehensive Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.  The plan brings together expertise and tools across government to coordinate our fight against this deadly disease.  Our goal is to reduce the number of new infections, increase status awareness among people with hepatitis, and eliminate the transmission of hepatitis B from mothers to their children.

The first step toward achieving these goals is raising public awareness of this life-threatening disease.  We must work to reduce the stigma surrounding hepatitis, and to ensure that testing, information, counseling, and treatment are available to all who need it.  The hard work and dedication of health-care professionals, researchers, and advocates will help bring us closer to this goal.  On this day, we renew our support for those living with hepatitis, and for their families, friends, and communities who are working to create a brighter, healthier future.

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 July 28, 2011, as World Hepatitis Day.  I encourage citizens, Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and communities across the Nation to join in activities that will increase awareness about hepatitis and what we can do to prevent it.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of July, 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

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2011

On June 25, 1950, the Korean peninsula erupted in conflict, becoming the front line of an intensifying Cold War.  For 3 years, our Armed Forces fought to help keep Korea free, suffering bitter reversals and winning stunning victories before the Military Armistice Agreement at Panmunjom secured the border near the 38th parallel.  Together, American service members and allied forces were part of a generation that, in the words inscribed at their memorial in Washington, defended "a country they never knew and a people they never met."  Today, we express our unending gratitude to all who fought and died in pursuit of freedom and democracy for the Korean peninsula.

Our veterans' courage and sacrifice have enabled the Republic of Korea to flourish as a strong and prosperous nation for over half a century.  In the decades following the Armistice, the American and South Korean people have maintained a warm friendship, and our alliance is stronger than ever.  We remember our common values and shared suffering during the Korean War, and we continue to work together towards advancing the cause of freedom and stability in East Asia and around the world.

Today, we honor the tens of thousands of service members who gave their last full measure of devotion to protect the people of the Republic of Korea.  We also pay tribute to the generations of Americans who have guarded the border since hostilities concluded.  It is our sacred duty as a grateful Nation to care for all those who have served, and to provide for our veterans and their families.

We will never forget that America owes its liberty, security, and prosperity to the heroic acts of our service members.  We must also remember that their selfless sacrifices have had a profound impact on the promotion of freedom across the globe.  On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we recommit to supporting our venerable warriors and their families, and we pay our deepest respects to those who laid down their lives.

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 July 27, 2011, as National Korean War

Veterans Armistice Day.  I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor our distinguished Korean War Veterans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty sixth day of July, 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

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Generations of Americans with disabilities have improved our country in countless ways. Refusing to accept the world as it was, they have torn down the barriers that prohibited them from fully realizing the American dream. Their tireless efforts led to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation in our Nation's history. On this day, we celebrate the 21st anniversary of the ADA and the progress we have made, and we reaffirm our commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.

Each day, people living with disabilities make immeasurable contributions to the diversity and vitality of our communities. Nearly one in five Americans lives with a disability. They are our family members and friends, neighbors and colleagues, and business and civic leaders. Since the passing of the ADA, persons with disabilities are leading fuller lives in neighborhoods that are more accessible and have greater access to new technologies. In our classrooms, young people with disabilities now enjoy the same educational opportunities as their peers and are gaining the tools necessary to reach their greatest potential.

Despite these advancements, there is more work to be done, and my Administration remains committed to ending all forms of discrimination and upholding the rights of Americans with disabilities. The Department of Justice continues to strengthen enforcement of the ADA by ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to community-based services that allow them to lead independent lives in the communities of their choosing. Under provisions of the Affordable Care Act, insurers will no longer be able to engage in the discriminatory practice of denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and Americans with disabilities will have greater control over their health care choices. And last year, I signed an Executive Order establishing the Federal Government as a model employer forindividuals with disabilities, placing a special focus onrecruitment and retention of public servants with disabilities across Federal agencies.

Through the ADA, America was the first country in the world to comprehensively declare equality for citizens with disabilities. To continue promoting these principles, we have joined in signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At its core, this Convention promotes equality. It seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as all people, and are able to lead their lives as do other individuals.

Eventual ratification of this Convention would represent another important step in our forty-plus years of protecting disability rights. It would offer us a platform to encourage other countries to join and implement the Convention. Broad implementation would mean greater protections and benefits abroad for millions of Americans with disabilities, including our veterans, who travel, conduct business, study, reside, or retire overseas. In encouraging other countries to join and implement the Convention, we also could help level the playing field to the benefit of American companies, who already meet high standards under United States domestic law. Improved disabilities standards abroad would also afford American businesses increased opportunities to export innovative products and technologies, stimulating job creation at home.

Equal access, equal opportunity, and the freedom to make of our lives what we will are principles upon which our Nation was founded, and they continue to guide our efforts to perfect our Union. Together, we can ensure our country is not deprived of the full talents and contributions of the approximately 54 million Americans living with disabilities, and we will move forward with the work of providing pathways to opportunity to all of our 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 Tuesday, July 26, 2011, the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I encourage Americans across our Nation to celebrate the 21st anniversary of this civil rights law and the many contributions of individuals with disabilities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of July, 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

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions

SUSPENSION OF ENTRY OF ALIENS SUBJECT TO UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TRAVEL BANS AND INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY ECONOMIC POWERS ACT SANCTIONS

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In light of the firm commitment of the United States to the preservation of international peace and security and our obligations under the United Nations Charter to carry out the decisions of the United Nations Security Council imposed under Chapter VII, I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of aliens who are subject to United Nations Security Council travel bans as of the date of this proclamation.  I have further determined that the interests of the United States are served by suspending the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of aliens whose property and interests in property have been blocked by an Executive Order issued in whole or in part pursuant to the President's authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code hereby find that the unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.  I therefore hereby proclaim that:

Section 1.  The entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of the following persons is hereby suspended:

(a)  Any alien who meets one or more of the specific criteria for the imposition of a travel ban provided for in a United Nations Security Council resolution referenced in Annex A to this proclamation.

(b)  Any alien who meets one or more of the specific criteria contained in an Executive Order referenced in Annex B to this proclamation.

Sec. 2.  Persons covered by section 1 of this proclamation shall be identified by the Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee, in his or her sole discretion, pursuant to such standards and procedures as the Secretary may establish.

Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall have responsibility for implementing this proclamation pursuant to such procedures as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of Homeland Security, may establish.

Sec. 4.  Section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply with respect to any person otherwise covered by section 1 where entry of the person into the United States would not be contrary to the interests of the United States, as determined by the Secretary of State.  In exercising the functions and authorities in the previous sentence, the Secretary of State shall consult the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters related to admissibility or inadmissibility within the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Sec. 5.  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to require actions that would be inconsistent with the United States obligations under applicable international agreements.

Sec. 6.  This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 7.  This proclamation is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until such time as the Secretary of State determines that it is no longer necessary and should be terminated, either in whole or in part.  Any such termination shall become effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of July, 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

 

Annex  A:  United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs)

1) UNSCR 1521 (2003) (concerning Liberia):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1521/
2) UNSCR1572 (2004)) (concerning Côte d’Ivoire):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1572/resolutions.shtml
3) UNSCR 1591 (2005) (concerning Sudan):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1591/
4) UNSCR 1636 (2005) (concerning Lebanon):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1636/
5) UNSCR 1718 (2006) (concerning North Korea):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1718/
6) UNSCR 1844 (2008) (concerning Somalia):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/751/
7) UNSCR 1857 (2008) (concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1533/
8) UNSCR 1907 (2009) (concerning Eritrea):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/751/
9) UNSCR 1929 (2010) (concerning Iran):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1737/
10) UNSCR 1970 and 1973 (2011) (concerning the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya):  http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1970/
11) UNSCR 1988 (2011) (concerning Afghanistan): http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1988/
12) UNSCR 1989 (2011) (concerning Al Qaeda) http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/

Annex B:  Executive Orders

1) Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995 (Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten to Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process), as amended by Executive Order 13099 of August 20, 1998 (Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten to Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process)
2) Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995 (Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers)
3) Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997 (Blocking Sudanese Government Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Sudan)
4) Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001 (Blocking Property of Persons Who Threaten International Stabilization Efforts in the Western Balkans), as amended by Executive Order 13304 of May 28, 2003 (Termination of National Emergencies With Respect to Yugoslavia and Modification of Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001)
5) Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 (Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism), as amended by Executive Order 13268 of July 2, 2002 (Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Taliban and Amendment of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001)
6) Executive Order 13288 of March 6, 2003 (Blocking Property of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe), as amended by Executive Order 13391 of November 22, 2005 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe)
7) Executive Order 13310 of July 28, 2003 (Blocking Property of the Government of Burma and Prohibiting Certain Transactions)
8) Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003 (Blocking Property of the Former Iraqi Regime, Its Senior Officials and Their Family Members, and Taking Certain Other Actions), superseded in part by Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004 (Termination of Emergency Declared in Executive Order 12722 With Respect to Iraq and Modification of Executive Order 13290, Executive Order 13303, and Executive Order 13315)
9) Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Export of Certain Goods to Syria), as amended by Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria)
10) Executive Order 13348 of July 22, 2004 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Importation of Certain Goods from Liberia)
11) Executive Order 13382 of June 28, 2005 (Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters)
12) Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire)
13) Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria)
14) Executive Order 13400 of April 26, 2006 (Blocking Property of Persons in Connection With the Conflict in Sudan’s Darfur Region)
15) Executive Order 13405 of June 16, 2006 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus)
16) Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006 (Blocking Property of and Prohibiting Transactions With the Government of Sudan)
17) Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
18) Executive Order 13438 of July 17, 2007 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq) 
19) Executive Order 13441 of August 1, 2007 (Blocking Property of Persons Undermining the Sovereignty of Lebanon or Its Democratic Processes and Institutions)
20) Executive Order 13448, of October 18, 2007 (Blocking Property and Prohibition Certain Transactions Related to Burma)
21) Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria)
22) Executive Order 13464 of April 30, 2008 (Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma)
23) Executive Order 13469 of July 25, 2008 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe)
24) Executive Order 13536 of April 12, 2010 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Somalia)
25) Executive Order 13551 of August 30, 2010 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to North Korea)
26) Executive Order 13566 of February 25, 2011 (Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Libya)
27) Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011 (Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to Human Rights Abuses in Syria)
28) Executive Order 13573 of May 18, 2011 (Blocking Property of Senior Officials of the Government of Syria)
29) Executive Order 13581 of July 24, 2011 (Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations)

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Captive Nations Week

CAPTIVE NATIONS WEEK, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

There are times in the course of history when the actions of ordinary people yearning for freedom ignite the desires of people everywhere.  Such brave actions led to the birth of our Nation, the fall of the Soviet Union, and countless other achievements that have shaped our world.  During Captive Nations Week, we remember the men and women throughout the world still suffering under oppressive regimes, and we underscore our commitment to advancing freedom's cause.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Captive Nations Week Proclamation in 1959 amidst an escalating Cold War, affirming America's support for the individual liberties of those living under Communist oppression.  Our world has transformed dramatically since President Eisenhower first proclaimed Captive Nations Week.  The burst of freedom following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of new democracies that are now steadfast allies of the United States and key contributors to the expansion of human rights worldwide.

With each generation, people have breathed new life into democratic ideals, striving for personal freedom, political and economic reform, and justice.  The United States stands firmly behind all those who seek to exercise their basic human rights.  We will continue to oppose the use of violence and repression and support the universal rights of freedom of religion, expression, and peaceful assembly; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right of people to choose their leaders.

This week, we rededicate ourselves to promoting democratic values, economic development, and respect for human dignity, and we express our solidarity with freedom seeking people everywhere whose future reflects our greatest hope for peace.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week of July of each year as "Captive Nations Week."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 17 through July 23, 2011, as Captive Nations Week.  I call upon the people of the United States to reaffirm our deep commitment to all those working for human rights and dignity around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of July, 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

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 01, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 26TH AMENDMENT

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution took effect, lowering the universal voting age in America from 21 years to 18 years.  Millions of young Americans were extended the right to vote, empowering more young people than ever before to help shape our country.  On this anniversary, we remember the commitment of all those who fought for the right to vote and celebrate the contributions of young adults to our Nation.

The right to vote has been secured by generations of leaders over our history, from the women's groups of the early 20th century to the civil rights activists of the 1960s.  For young people, the movement to lower America's voting age took years of hard work and tough advocacy to make the dream a reality.  Yet, once proposed in Congress in 1971, the 26th Amendment was ratified in the shortest time span of any Constitutional Amendment in American history.

In the midst of the Vietnam War, our Nation bestowed upon our young people the ability to change the status quo and entrusted them with a new voice in government.  Today, young adults across America continue to exercise this enormous responsibility of citizenship.  Countless young people are involved in the political process, dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard.

Ideas from young Americans are important to my Administration, and they will help shape the future of our Nation.  We are committed to supporting and developing young leaders from all beliefs and backgrounds, and from urban and rural communities alike.  This year, I launched "100 Youth Roundtables," an initiative to facilitate substantive dialogue between my Administration and young Americans.  We hosted a Young Entrepreneur Summit to listen to budding entrepreneurs and better assess their needs.  And this summer, we are beginning a "How to Make Change" series for young Americans from all walks of life who are seeking change in their communities and our world.

Young adults have been a driving force for change in the last century, bringing new ideas and high hopes to our national dialogue.  Today, we remember the efforts of those who fought for their seat at the table, and we encourage coming generations to claim their place in our democracy.

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 July 1, 2011, as the 40th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment.  I call upon all Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities that honor young Americans, and those who have fought for freedom and justice in our country.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Father's Day

FATHER'S DAY, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Parenthood is the ultimate gift and an incredible responsibility.  Every day, fathers across our country give everything they have to build a better future for their family, asking nothing in return but their children's love and success.  On Father's Day, we honor the men in our lives who have helped shape us for the good, and we recommit to supporting fatherhood in our families, in our communities, and across our Nation.

Fathers, along with our mothers, are our first teachers, coaches, and advisors.  They help us grow into adults, consoling us in times of need and celebrating with us in times of triumph.  Strong male role models come in all forms, but they have one thing in common:  they show up and give it their best.  A father figure may be a biological father, or he may be a surrogate father who raises, mentors, or cares for another's child.  Every family is different, but what matters is the unconditional support, guidance, and love fathers and mentors give us throughout life.

Today, too many children in our country grow up without such support and guidance.  A father's absence is felt by children, families, and communities in countless ways, leaving a hole that can have lasting effects.  Their absence is also felt by mothers, who work overtime and double shifts, put food on the table, and care for children alone while trying to make ends meet.  And it is felt in our communities, when boys grow up without male leaders to inspire them.

My Administration has made supporting fathers and their communities a priority.  Last year on Father's Day, I announced the President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative, a nationwide effort to support organizations that foster responsible fatherhood and help re-engage fathers in the lives of their children.  We have bolstered community and faith-based programs that provide valuable support networks for fathers.  We are also promoting work-life balances that benefit families, and partnering with businesses across America to create opportunities for fathers and their children to spend time together.  And military leaders are joining in our efforts to help families keep in touch when a dad is deployed overseas, so the fathers who serve to protect all our children can stay connected to their own.

On Father's Day, we celebrate the men who make a difference in the life of a child, and we pay tribute to all the fathers who have been our guiding lights.  In the days ahead, we recommit ourselves to making fatherhood, and the support men need to be fathers, a priority in our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 19, 2011, as Father's Day.  I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 10, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Flag Day and National Flag Week

        On June 14, 1777, the Second Constitutional Congress adopted a flag with thirteen stripes and thirteen stars to represent our Nation, one star for each of our founding colonies. The stars were set upon a blue field, in the words of the Congress's resolution, "representing a new constellation" in the night sky. What was then a fledgling democracy has flourished and expanded, as we constantly strive toward a more perfect Union.

        Through the successes and struggles we have faced, the American flag has been ever present. It has flown on our ships and military bases around the world as we continue to defend liberty and democracy abroad. It has been raised in yards and on porches across America on days of celebration, and as a sign of our shared heritage. And it is lowered on days of remembrance to honor fallen service members and public servants; or when tragedy strikes and we join together in mourning. Our flag is the mark of one country, one people, uniting under one banner.

        When the American flag soars, so too does our Nation and the ideals it stands for. We remain committed to defending the liberties and freedoms it represents, and we give special thanks to the members of the Armed Forces who wear our flag proudly. On Flag Day, and during National Flag Week, we celebrate the powerful beacon of hope that our flag has become for us all, and for people around the world.

        To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as "National Flag Week" and call upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2011, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 12, 2011, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge

        all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 02, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--National Oceans Month

NATIONAL OCEANS MONTH, 2011

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION


     During National Oceans Month, we celebrate the value of our oceans to American life and recognize the critical role they continue to play in our economic progress, national security, and natural heritage.  Waterborne commerce, sustainable commercial fisheries, recreational fishing, boating, tourism, and energy production are all able to contribute to job growth and strengthen our economy because of the bounty of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.

     Last year, I signed an Executive Order directing my Administration to implement our Nation's first comprehensive National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes.  This policy makes more effective use of Federal resources by addressing the most critical issues facing our oceans.  It establishes a new approach to bringing together Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and all of the ocean's users -- from recreational and commercial fishermen, boaters, and industry, to environmental groups, scientists, and the public -- to better plan for, manage, and sustain the myriad human uses that healthy oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes support.

     One year after the devastating BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we remain committed to the full environmental and economic recovery of the region.  My Administration is assessing and mitigating the damage that was caused by this tragedy, and restoring and strengthening the Gulf Coast and its communities.  These efforts remind us of the responsibility we all share for our oceans and coasts, and the strong connection between the health of our natural resources and that of our communities and economy.  While we embrace our oceans as crucial catalysts for trade, bountiful sources of food, and frontiers for renewable energy, we must also recommit to ensuring their safety and sustainability, and to being vigilant guardians of our coastal communities.

     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 June 2011 as National Oceans Month.  I call upon Americans to take action to protect, conserve, and restore our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.

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

 

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--African-American Music Appreciation Month

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

     The music of our Nation has always spoken to the condition of our people and reflected the diversity of our Union. African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters have made enormous contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our shared values. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical traditions of African-American musicians and their gifts to our country and our world.

     From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift in times of both despair and triumph. The rhythmic chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave strength to a generation that rose above the din of hatred to move our country toward justice and equality for all.

     Today, African-American musicians continue to create new musical genres and transform the scope of traditional musical formats. The artistic depth of soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop not only bring together people across our Nation, but also energize and shape the creativity of artists around the world. The contributions of African-American composers and musicians to symphony, opera, choral music, and musical theater continue to reach new audiences and encourage listeners to celebrate fresh interpretations of these and other genres.

     In cherished songs passed down through generations and innovative musical fusions crafted today, African-American music continues to transcend time, place, and circumstance to provide a source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its harmonies. This month, we celebrate the legacy of African-American music and its enduring power to bring life to the narrative of our Nation.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 June 2011 as African-American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, or performed by African Americans.

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

BARACK OBAMA