A proclamation by George W. Bush

文章詞數 難度 建議用時477 ★★★ 7 分鐘

難詞探意

1. asset /??set/ n. 資產；財產

2. steadfast /?stedfɑ?st/ adj. 堅定的；不動搖的

3. sponsor /?sp?ns?(r)/ v. 贊助；主辦

4. resolution /?rez??lu??n/ n. 決議；正式決定

5. designate /?dez?ɡne?t/ v. 指定；選定；委任

6. nurture /?nз?t??(r)/ n. 養育；培育（尤指幼兒或植物）

7. hereby /?h???ba?/ adv. 以此；特此

8. hereunto /?h??r?n?tu?/ adv. 到此為止；迄今

President Theodore Roosevelt once said,“The mother is the one supremeassetof national life; she is more important by far than the successful statesman, businessman, artist or scientist.” Today, mothers continue to be an important part of our national character. On Mother's Day, we honor the women whosesteadfastlove and wisdom have made America a better place.

During the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe,author ofThe Battle Hymn of the Republic,suggested making July 4 Mother's Day and a day dedicated to peace. Anna Reeves Jarvis also began working for a similar holiday andsponsoreda Mother's Friendship Day in her hometown to reunite families divided by the war.It was not until2years after her mother's death that Anna M. Jarvis started the campaign for the observance of Mother's Day in the United States.By 1911, Mother's Day was observed in nearly every State of the Union, and in 1914,responding to a jointresolutionof the Congress,Woodrow Wilson， President of America, officiallydesignatedMother's Day a national observance.

Motherhood is a rewarding and often difficult job. A mother is a child's first teacher and affects a child's life like few others can. Effective mothers can inspire their sons and daughters to love themselves and others, work hard,make healthy choices, serve causes greater than self, and achieve their dreams. Mothers who protect, teach, andnurturetheir children with all their heart strengthen their families and help build a better future for our country.

This Mother's Day, we express our heartfelt thanks to our mothers for their unconditional love and guidance. We take time to recognize the many mothers who are supporting their brave sons and daughters in the Armed Forces, and the many others who are themselves serving proudly in defense of America's freedom and security. The service and sacrifice of these women reflect the best of our nation. They and their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 8, 1914, has designated the second Sunday in May each year as “Mother's Day”and has requested the President to call for its appropriate observance. In honor of all of our nation's mothers, I am pleased to do so.

Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, doherebydeclare May 9, 2004, to be Mother's Day. I commend mothers for the important contributions they make to our society and encourage all Americans to express their love, gratitude, and respect for mothers, and to honor their mothers on this day and throughout the year.

In witness whereof, I havehereuntoset my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand and four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

Reading Check

Ⅰ. Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Why does George W. Bush quote President Theodore Roosevelt's saying?

A. To prove his opinions. B. To introduce the topic.

C. To review America's history. D. To draw the audience's attention.

2. Who made Mother's Day a national observance according to paragraph 2?

A. Anna M. Jarvis. B. Julia Ward Howe.

C. Woodrow Wilson. D. Anna Reeves Jarvis.

3. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A. The hardships of excellent mothers. B. The significance of motherhood.

C. The responsibility of motherhood. D. The criterion of effective mothers.

4. Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “commend” in Para. 6?

A. Praise. B. Describe.

C. Expect. D. Congratulate.

Ⅱ. Discussion

Apart from those mentioned in the proclamation by George W. Bush, can you share some information about Mother's Day?

Language Study

Sentence for writing

It was not until 2 years after her mother's death that Anna M. Jarvis started the campaign for the observance of Mother's Day in the United States.

【信息提取】“It be not until...that...”為not...until...句型的強調句形式，意為“直到……才……”。

【句式仿寫】白首方悔讀書遲。