[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6482-H6484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
 SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INCORPORATED, 
 BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED, THE SERVICE FLAG, AND THE 
                          SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 301) expressing the 
sense of Congress regarding American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, 
Blue Star Mothers of America, Incorporated, the service flag, and the 
service lapel button.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 301

       Whereas section 901 of title 36, United States Code, 
     authorizes members of the immediate family of individuals 
     serving in the Armed Forces to display a service flag 
     approved by the Secretary of Defense in a window of their 
     place of residence during any period of war or hostilities in 
     which the Armed Forces are engaged;
       Whereas such section also authorizes members of the 
     immediate family of individuals serving in the Armed Forces 
     to wear a service lapel button approved by the Secretary of 
     Defense during any period of war or hostilities in which the 
     Armed Forces are engaged;
       Whereas the traditions of displaying the service flag and 
     wearing the service lapel button have not been widely 
     practiced since the end of World War II; and
       Whereas reinvigorating the traditions of displaying the 
     service flag and wearing the service lapel button would 
     foster patriotism and express support for the members of the 
     Armed Forces during the war on terrorism: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the members of American Gold Star Mothers, 
     Incorporated, and Blue Star Mothers of America, Incorporated, 
     should be recognized for their sacrifices and for their 
     dedicated and patriotic support of the United States;
       (2) during the period in which the Armed Forces are engaged 
     in the war on terrorism, members of the immediate family of 
     individuals serving in the Armed Forces should be encouraged 
     to display a service flag approved by the Secretary of 
     Defense under section 901 of title 36, United States Code, in 
     the window of their place of residence and wear a service 
     lapel button approved under such section; and
       (3) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
     members of the immediate family of individuals serving in the 
     Armed Forces to display a service flag approved by the 
     Secretary of Defense under section 901 of title 36, United 
     States Code, in the window of their place of residence and 
     wear a service lapel button approved under such section 
     during the period in which the Armed Forces are engaged in 
     the war on terrorism.
       Sec. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall 
     transmit a copy of this

[[Page H6483]]

     resolution to the American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, 
     and the Blue Star Mothers of America, Incorporated.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) and the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Tauscher) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts).


                             General Leave

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as America's war on terrorism continues, the men and 
women who serve in our Armed Forces, like the veterans before them, 
help bring freedom and democracy to the world. In obscure, remote parts 
of the globe, the airmen, soldiers, sailors, and Marines stand tall. In 
some remote location, a sailor will miss his anniversary, an airman 
will miss his daughter's birthday, and a Marine will be absent for yet 
another family reunion, all in an effort to help make the world a safer 
place to live, work, and play.
  As demonstrated by military casualties in Afghanistan, America's 
patriots sometimes pay the ultimate price in support and defense of 
democracy. The family members they leave behind especially feel the 
sacrifice. The American Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers of America 
deserve our special thanks and appreciation.
  The tradition of the Blue Star dates back to World War I, symbolizing 
a mother who had her pride and joy serve in the Armed Forces. The 
traditional Gold Star recognized a mother who had lost a child during 
any period of war or hostilities.
  During World War I, the Blue Star flag flown in a family's window was 
a symbol of both hope and yet grave concern for their son and others 
who were serving in the military and fighting for their country. It 
served as recognition of what Americans at home could do to support 
military family members, and also symbolized a pride in the commitment 
of America's youth, and a reminder of the gravity of the entire war 
effort.
  During this time, there was the all-too-constant fear that the Blue 
Star would change its color to become a Gold Star days, weeks, or 
months later.
  Mr. Speaker, the tradition of immediate family members displaying the 
service flag in their home or wearing a Blue Star or Gold Star service 
lapel button have not been widely practiced since the end of World War 
II.
  As Americans, and at this historic juncture in our history, when 
America will indefinitely continue its war on terrorism, let us not 
forget the sacrifices of the families of the military members who make 
the world a safer place. Mr. Speaker, when we see Blue Star or Gold 
Star flags flying in a window or family members wearing lapel buttons, 
we should take the time to thank them for their sacrifice, and let them 
know that America stands behind them.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I urge my colleagues to vote for this 
resolution, and let us not forget the families who have also sacrificed 
on behalf of freedom, liberty, and democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 301, 
introduced by my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Watts).
  House Concurrent Resolution 301 urges the President to issue a 
proclamation on behalf of the members of the American Gold Star Mothers 
and Blue Star Mothers of America for their sacrifices and dedicated and 
patriotic support.
  The bill also calls upon family members of American service members 
to display an approved service flag and wear a service lapel button in 
support of members of the Armed Forces.
  Army captain Robert L. Queissner of the Fifth Ohio Infantry created 
the blue star flag in 1917 during World War I. The blue star flag 
quickly became a symbol that a family member was serving in the armed 
services. The blue star symbolizes the hope and pride of families who 
have loved ones in uniform.
  During World War I, a blue star was replaced with a gold star if a 
service member was killed or died while on active duty. The idea for a 
gold star is believed to have been developed from the Women's Committee 
on the Council of National Defenses on May 28, 1918. The Women's 
Committee recommended a gilt star on a black band on the left arm for 
mourning the loss of a family member in wartime. The gold was to 
signify the sacrifice of a loved one for the cause of liberty and 
freedom.
  Grace Darling Seibold, who lost her son George Vaughn Seibold during 
World War I, established the American Gold Star Mothers. When George 
left for service, his mother began to do community service by visiting 
returning servicemen in hospitals. On Christmas Eve, Grace Seibold 
received word that her son had been killed. In her sorrow, she reached 
out to other mothers who lost a child, and organized a group of special 
mothers. The group provided comfort to each other, and also provided 
loving support to hospitalized veterans confined in hospitals far from 
home. But it was not until January 5, 1929, that the American Gold Star 
Mothers, Incorporated, was officially established.
  On June 12, 1984, the American Gold Star Mothers received a 
congressional charter. Army Captain George H. Maines founded the Blue 
Star Mothers of America in the 1940s. On January 22, 1942, he ran a 
newspaper article in the Flint News Advertiser requesting information 
about children in the Armed Forces. Over 1,000 mothers responded, and 
chapters of Blue Star Mothers began forming across the United States. 
Blue Star Mothers also began to volunteer for the war effort, visiting 
hospitals, providing hospitality areas in buses and train stations, 
preparing packages for shipment overseas, and comforting families who 
lost loved ones.
  I want to commend the blue star mothers and gold star mothers who 
have dedicated themselves in support of our service members and 
families. As our Nation continues its war on terrorism, it is only 
fitting that we call upon the families of service members to 
reinvigorate the tradition of displaying a service flag in the windows 
of their homes, and that all Americans recognize the sacrifices of 
families of those who volunteer to defend our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons).
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for 
yielding time to me, and I thank him for his sponsorship of House 
Concurrent Resolution 301, which expresses support of the Congress for 
the American Gold Star Mothers, for the Blue Star Mothers of America, 
and for our Armed Forces. I also commend the American Legion for its 
support of the Blue Star program.
  We have heard, Mr. Speaker, that during World War I and during other 
conflicts, it was the custom for citizens in our country to hang a blue 
star banner in the windows of their homes or in the windows of their 
places of business to commemorate the fact that a family member or an 
employee of that business was serving in uniform overseas in difficult 
and dangerous circumstances.
  We have also heard of the tragic news that when a family or a 
business would learn that that loved one or that employee was killed in 
the line of duty or died as a result of wounds, that blue star would 
then become a gold star, and that mother, that mother would lose her 
son or her husband or her loved one.
  The blue star program is a program whose time has come for us here in 
America. It is a time for this program to be reinvigorated. That is 
what this resolution does.
  In my home district of eastern Connecticut, we have a Blue Star 
Highway and we also have a Gold Star Highway and a Gold Star Bridge. 
Not every State or every district can honor the

[[Page H6484]]

gold star mothers and the blue star mothers with a bridge or a highway, 
but something that we can all do, we can all do, is present a blue star 
banner to those constituents who have a family member or an employee 
serving in uniform.
  Recently, I had the opportunity to honor several constituents who 
were serving in the Armed Forces. They would be Jason Tinelle, who 
currently serves in Bosnia as an infantry platoon sergeant with the 
U.S. Army, and also Torpedoman First Class Richard Messick, who 
currently serves aboard the USS Hartford.
  When I presented these banners to their family members, to their 
spouses and to their children, there were literally tears in their 
eyes, tears in their eyes because this Congress recognized the 
sacrifice of their loved ones, and also the burden of those families.
  This is an important resolution. This is a resolution which conveys 
this Congress' support for the men and women of our Armed Forces and 
for the mothers who wait at home, hoping beyond hope that that blue 
star does not turn into a gold star.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) for 
this resolution. I think that all of us find ourselves in the 20th 
century in a time of asymmetrical warfare, unidentified enemies, and 
very troubling times. I think that it is very emblematic of a country 
that has been the shining beacon of freedom to have a volunteer 
military.
  Unlike the Second World War, before we were born, when many, many of 
our fighting men and women came from our neighborhoods, we have a small 
military right now, one that is, I think, the best in the world, but is 
not necessarily represented in every community. I think that anonymity 
has created a lack of support for military families who find themselves 
disconnected in many ways, and unappreciated.
  I think that the resolution of the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
Watts) is a good way for us to reknit together the community of 
Americans; to find a way to recognize those families that have provided 
our fighting men and women; and to give them a sense of support, a 
sense of pride, and a sense of the ability to recognize them.
  So I am really encouraging my colleagues to vote for this resolution. 
I think it is very timely.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), and my friend, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Tauscher), for being here on the floor today to help 
recognize the blue and gold star moms. My colleague, the gentlewoman 
from California, said it very well: We have moms and dads around the 
country, all over the Nation, that have made tremendous sacrifices in 
giving a loved one, giving a son or a daughter or a husband, in defense 
of the values and the freedoms and the many things that we hold dear in 
this Nation. I again would hope that we would never forget that 
sacrifice.
  We have some blue and gold star moms here with us today. We are going 
to go and take some pictures with them, and have an opportunity to have 
a little fellowship with them.
  So I want to say for them on behalf of a grateful Nation, we are 
appreciative of the sacrifices that they have made over the years in 
allowing this country to be the country that we know it to be this day.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 301, which 
recognizes the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., and Blue Star Mothers 
of America, Inc., for their sacrifices and patriotic support of the 
United States. I join my colleagues in urging the families of those 
serving in the armed forces to display a service flag in the window of 
their homes and to wear a service lapel button approved by the 
Secretary of Defense.
  At a time when our military men and women are putting their lives on 
the line of our safety, we all recognize the importance of displaying a 
service flag. In times of war, these flags symbolize the love and pride 
that we have for the young men and women in the Armed Forces. They are 
a poignant reminder just how much America's greatness depends on their 
bravery.
  The patriotic tradition of the service flag dates back to World War 
I, when mothers of young soldiers hand stitched red, white, and blue 
flags to hang in their windows as a sign that a loved one had gone to 
fight in the war. This tradition was later extended to the wives and 
families of servicemen serving during the war. This tradition 
encountered a huge resurgence in World War II and again during the 
Korean War. Even during Desert Storm some U.S. ships sent service flags 
to the families of everyone aboard.
  As we face this new threat to our country, it is only fitting that we 
take the time to recognize that America's mothers may once again suffer 
the supreme sacrifice of motherhood, the loss of a son or daughter. To 
everyone with a family member in the Armed Services we offer our humble 
appreciation and respect.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 
301.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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