IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 539 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

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.