President Alexander Stubb on Sunday awarded 48 fathers with state decorations for their contributions in parenting, said the President Office in a press release. The fathers were awarded the First Class Order of the White Rose with Gold Cross for the first time in the country at a ceremony in the Presidential Palace marking the Father's Day. The role of the fathers for responsible parenting, taking care of their own families and children and contributions to family life and child welfare in the society were considered while selecting for the award. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health together with the Family Federation of Finland (Väestöliitto) prepared the list based on recommendations from municipalities, reginal state administrative agencies, parishes and different organisations. “For me, there is nothing greater than fatherhood,” said Stubb while addressing on the occasion, adding that happiness comes from seeing children to grow into adults. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and Managing Director of Family Federation of Finland Tiina Ristikari also addressed on the occasion. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has been awarding the Father of the Year Prize since 2006 marking the Father´s Day but the state decorations were awarded by the President for the first time this year. Finland has been awarding Mother's Day medal with the White Roses since 1946.