Proclamation 9952-National Character Counts Week, 2019
Issued 2019-10-18 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation titled "National Character Counts Week, 2019" on October 17, 2019. This action officially designated October 20 through October 26, 2019, as National Character Counts Week. The proclamation is a ceremonial observance that aims to bring national attention to the importance of character. It calls upon public officials, educators, parents, students, and all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
This proclamation affects all Americans, particularly focusing on parents, mentors, educators, students, and the nation's youth. The President stated that the good character of the people is vital to maintaining freedom and that cultivating character is critical for the nation's youth. Building strong character in young people helps provide them with a moral compass to navigate life's challenges and decisions. The proclamation expresses the President's sentiment on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to the importance of developing and demonstrating admirable qualities to enrich lives and inspire future leaders.
This type of executive action, a ceremonial proclamation, does not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens. It is purely declaratory, expressing the President's view and drawing public awareness to a cause. Presidents have issued such ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they are considered to fall squarely within executive tradition, requiring no congressional approval and facing no constitutional challenges.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9952-National Character Counts Week, 2019" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to character counts. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 Proclamation 9952—National Character Counts Week, 2019 October 18, 2019 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Since our Nation's founding, we have recognized that the good character of our people is vital to maintaining our freedom. The strength of our Union and the defense of our precious liberty require both constant vigilance and moral clarity. During National Character Counts Week, we reaffirm our commitment to developing and demonstrating admirable qualities to enrich our lives and the lives of others. In doing so, we are confident that we can positively influence the next generation of our Nation's leaders and inspire them to lead lives of virtue and integrity. As history teaches us, no person or piece of legislation is capable of securing and advancing freedom for a nation that fails to instill moral principles in its people. Parents, mentors, and educators have been instrumental in forming and developing values in our young people for generations, and cultivating character is critical for our Nation's youth. Building strong character in our youth helps provide them with a moral compass that will help them navigate life's many challenges and decisions, and we have an obligation to se