Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2012 / Presidential Documents 24577 

Proclamation 8802 of April 20, 2012 

Earth Day, 2012 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans came together to celebrate the 

first Earth Day. Students, teachers, activists, elected officials, and countless 

others challenged our Nation to confront our most urgent environmental 

issues and rallied around a single message: the success of future generations 

depends upon how we act today. As we commemorate Earth Day this 

year, we reflect on the challenges that remain before us and recommit 

to the spirit of togetherness and shared responsibility that galvanized a 

movement 42 years ago. 

America rose to meet the call to action in the months and years that 

followed the first Earth Day. We passed the Clean Air, Clean Water, Endangered Species, and Marine Mammal Protection Acts; founded the Environmental Protection Agency; and ignited a spirit of stewardship that has driven 

progress for over four decades. Today, our air and water are cleaner, pollution 

has been greatly reduced, and Americans everywhere are living in a healthier 

environment. 

While we have made remarkable progress in protecting our health and 

our natural heritage, we know our work is not yet finished. Last July, 

my Administration proposed the toughest fuel economy standards in our 

Nation’s history—standards that will save families money at the pump, 

cut greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly reduce our dependence on 

oil. In December, we finalized the first-ever national standards to limit 

mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants, helping safeguard 

the health of millions. We have taken action to protect and restore our 

Nation’s precious ecosystems, from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. And 

we continue to make landmark investments in batteries, biofuels, and renewable energy that are unlocking American innovation and ensuring our Nation 

stays on the cutting edge. Our country is on the path to economic recovery 

and renewal, and moving forward, my Administration will continue to fight 

for a healthy environment every step of the way. 

As we work to leave our children a safe, sustainable future, we must also 

equip them with the tools they need to take on tomorrow’s environmental 

challenges. Supporting environmental literacy and a strong foundation in 

science, technology, engineering, and math for every student will help ensure 

our youth have the skills and knowledge to advance our clean energy economy. Last year, we launched the Department of Education Green Ribbon 

Schools recognition award to encourage more schools to pursue sustainability, foster health and wellness, and integrate environmental literacy into 

the curriculum. In the days ahead, we look forward to awarding the first 

Green Ribbons and recognizing the accomplishments of green schools across 

our country. 

Forty-two years ago, a generation rallied together to protect the earth we 

would inherit. As we reflect on that historic day of activism and stewardship, 

let us embrace our commitment to the generations yet to come by leaving 

them a safe, clean world on which to make their mark. 


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24578 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2012 / Presidential Documents 

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 April 22, 2012, 

as Earth Day. I encourage all Americans to participate in programs and 

activities that will protect our environment and contribute to a healthy, 

sustainable future. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day 

of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. 

[FR Doc. 2012–10107 

Filed 4–24–12; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F2–P 


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