Presidents and Their Proclamations on Mother's Day
Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 7:54AM More than a century ago, before it became the commercialized occasion it is today, Congress approved the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day. It declared that the American mother marked, “the greatest source of the country’s strength and inspiration.” American protocol requires each President to issue a new Mother’s Day proclamation every year.
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson first officially proclaimed Mother’s Day, He directed the display of the American flag on Government buildings and citizen residences “as a public expression of love and reverences for the mothers of our country.”
Two years after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) took office, he decided that rather than issue a special proclamation, he would deliver a White House statement instead. On May 7, 1935, he said that tributes to American mothers should “come simply and spontaneously from our hearts.”
Still, delivery of the Mother’s Day proclamation remains part of American tradition. Presidents add their own thoughts about mothers into their annual proclamations., some more descriptive and emotional, evoking conditions of the time, some more perfunctory. These are some excerpts from their proclamations regarding Mother’s Day and mothers over the years:
President Harry S. Truman, April 17, 1945:
“Whereas in this year of the war’s greatest intensity we are ever mindful of their splendid courage and steadfast loyalty to the highest ideals of our democracy;”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, May 5, 1955:
“Whereas since the earliest days of our history American mothers have inspired our most exalted national ideals through their teachings and by example in their daily lives…”
President John F Kennedy, April 26, 1963:
“Whereas the strength of our Nation depends upon the strength of the American home, which is based on the virtues fostered by the mothers of our country; and Whereas the American mother plays a vital role by precept and example in building a strong family unit and in teaching our children to become good citizens…”
President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 10, 1967:
“The fortitude to brave the frontier, the courage to bear our flag in battle, the compassion to help the needy and the weak at home and in distant lands—all these have come to our people through traits of character instilled by our mothers.”
President Richard M. Nixon, April 25, 1969:
“Nowhere in the complexity of the modern world are we more forcefully reminded of the power of love against hate, of creation over destruction, of life against death than in the gentle strength, the deep compassion of a mother.”
President Gerald R. Ford, May 5, 1976:
“Motherhood is more than a life role, it is a job that is continuously demanding and rewarding. A mother’s guidance is most significant in the growth of her children into responsible, self-reliant, understanding and productive human beings.”
President Jimmy Carter, April 1, 1980:
“Mother’s Day 1980 finds the always demanding role of being a mother made even more complex by the choices modern women have that were not available to women of previous generations. Whether they seek careers or work full time in the home, mothers contribute immensely to our Nation’s future by shaping the character of our children.”
President Ronald W. Reagan April 26, 1988:
“Generation after generation has measured love by the work and wonder of motherhood. For these gifts, ever ancient and ever new, we cannot pause too often to give thanks to mothers. As inadequate as our homage may be and as short as a single day is to express it — “What possible comparison was there,” a great saint wrote of his mother, “between the honor I showed her and the service she had rendered me?” — Mother’s Day affords us an opportunity to meet one of life’s happiest duties.”
President George H. W. Bush, May 10, 1990:
“For more than three-quarters of a century, we Americans have celebrated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. On this day, we pause to honor all those women who, by virtue of giving birth, or through marriage or adoption, are mothers.
Today we no longer face the cruel test of world war, but we still do well to reflect upon the example provided by our mothers. Their courage, faithfulness, and generosity must never fail to strengthen and inspire us.”
President William J. Clinton; May 11, 1995:
“Americans’ vitality as a people flows from the health of our families. The heart and soul of our national life, mothers rise each day to take on myriad tasks, from driving a carpool to directing a city council. They are an anchor to generations past and a bridge to the world of the future. Meeting the challenge of motherhood is one of society’s greatest responsibilities, and those who do this work every day do a service to all humanity.”
President George W. Bush, May 8, 2008:
“We are especially thankful for the mothers who support their sons and daughters serving in our Armed Forces and for the mothers who bring honor to the uniform of the United States by defending our freedom at home and abroad.
Every child blessed with a mother’s love has been given one of life’s great gifts. On this Mother’s Day, we recognize the extraordinary contributions America’s mothers make to their children, their families, and our country.”
President Barack H. Obama, May 8, 2014:
“For over a century, Americans have come together to celebrate our first friends and mentors, our inspirations and constant sources of strength. Our mothers are breadwinners, community leaders, and pillars of family. They pioneer scientific discoveries, serve with valor in our Armed Forces, and represent our Nation in the loftiest halls of Government. Whether biological, adoptive, or foster, they play a singular role in our lives. Because they so often put everything above themselves, on Mother’s Day, we put our moms first.”
This piece appeared originally in Forbes.
Mother's Day, presidents, white house 
