WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, President Obama recognized allmothers in celebration of this upcoming Mother's Day, including First Lady MichelleObama. The President emphasized that we should give all parents the support theyneed by providing paid maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, accommodationsfor workers who are pregnant, good health care, affordable child care, flexibility atwork, equal pay, and a decent minimum wage. Underscoring the importance ofthese issues, the President called on Congress to give meaning to Mother's Day bytaking action on these items.

Hello, everybody. In our house, everybody knows that President is only the third-most importantjob in the family. So this weekend, I’m going to take a little extra time to say thank you to Michellefor the remarkable way she does the most important job: being a mom. And I’m going to giveextra thanks to my mother-in-law for the role model she’s always been to Michelle and thecountless selfless ways in which she’s helped Michelle and me raise Malia and Sasha. I am incrediblylucky to have women who help me raise, love, and look after our girls.

I hope you’ll also take a moment to say thank you to the women in your life who love you in thatspecial way mothers do. Biological moms, adoptive moms, and foster moms; single moms,grandmoms and godmothers; aunts and mentors – whomever you think of when you think ofMother’s Day. Or take a moment, like I will, to remember the moms who raised us, whose bighearts sustained us, and whom we miss every day, no matter how old we get.

Giving flowers is always a good idea. But I hope that on this Mother’s Day, we’ll recommitourselves to doing more than that: Through deeds that match our words, let’s give mothers therespect they deserve, give all women the equality they deserve, and give all parents the supportthey need in their most important roles.

That includes paid maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, accommodations for workers who arepregnant, good health care, affordable child care, flexibility at work, equal pay, and a decentminimum wage. We ask our mothers to do more than their fair share of just about everything. Making sure they’re treated fairly is the least we can do.

The idea of setting aside a Sunday in May for our mothers became an official holiday with aCongressional resolution a little more than 100 years ago. They did it on May 8 – the same daywe’ll celebrate Mother’s Day this year. If Congress can make a holiday, surely they can back it upwith the things that give it meaning. After all, that’s what my mother taught me. I couldn’t justsay I was going to do the right thing, or say I agreed with it on principle. I had to actually do it.

So this Mother’s Day, say thank you. Say, “I love you.” And let’s make sure we show thatgratitude and appreciation through acts of respect throughout the year. No one deserves thatmore than our moms.

Happy Mother’s Day, and have a great weekend.

                                        （转引自：普特听力网   信息员：黄晓宁）