[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 539 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 539

 Commending Sonora Smart Dodd for her contribution in recognizing the 
 importance of Father's Day and recognizing the important role fathers 
                         play in our families.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 12, 2009

   Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (for herself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. 
Baird, Mr. Dicks, and Mr. Reichert) submitted the following resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending Sonora Smart Dodd for her contribution in recognizing the 
 importance of Father's Day and recognizing the important role fathers 
                         play in our families.

Whereas Father's Day was founded in 1910 by Mrs. John B. Dodd after her 
        attendance at a Mother's Day celebration in 1909;
Whereas Mrs. John B. Dodd, Sonora Smart Dodd, founded the day in celebration of 
        her father, William Smart;
Whereas William Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised 6 children on his own after 
        the death of his wife during the birth of the sixth child;
Whereas Spokane, Washington, hosted the first celebration of Father's Day at the 
        Spokane YMCA;
Whereas the United States Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing 
        Father's Day in 1956;
Whereas in 1972, President Richard Nixon made Father's Day an official holiday;
Whereas Father's Day will be celebrated on June 21, 2009;
Whereas June 21, 2009, is the 100th anniversary of Father's Day since Senora 
        Smart Dodd's idea to recognize the parental sacrifices made by her 
        father;
Whereas the 100th anniversary of Father's Day will be celebrated in Spokane, 
        Washington, in 2010; and
Whereas the home Sonora Smart Dodd built with her husband in 1913 in the East 
        Central, South Perry neighborhood is being restored and will be open 
        next year in honor of the 100th celebration by Gerald and Beverlee 
        Numbers: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Sonora Smart Dodd for her contribution in 
        recognizing the importance of Father's Day; and
            (2) recognizes the important role fathers play in our 
        families.
                                 <all>