[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MOTHER'S DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate all the mothers in 
America. During the last few weeks, we have watched as our Armed Forces 
fought and won a war in Iraq. This weekend many of those troops will 
celebrate Mother's Day at home with their families, and in fact, some 
of those returning troops are mothers themselves.
  Earlier this year while those mothers and daughters and fathers and 
sons bravely fought for the freedom of the people of Iraq and for the 
security of America, the House passed a bill to relieve some of the tax 
burden on our troops. Today we gave all American mothers tax relief. 
This is more than a bouquet of flowers. It is more than a sentimental 
greeting card. Tax relief for working mothers and their children may 
correspond with Mother's Day, but it produces dividends well beyond 
this Sunday.
  This plan gives the economy an immediate shot in the arm by 
accelerating tax relief for the marriage penalty, increasing the child 
tax credit, and providing working mothers with more of their hard-
earned dollars through an accelerated tax relief program. And just 
think, these mothers can use their recouped income for their needs, for 
the needs of their children, for the needs of their family.
  Furthermore, with sizable long-term tax relief on capital, businesses 
will receive the investment incentives that will help create more jobs. 
Just think, because of the legislation this House passed today, more 
mothers who are without a job will find one. More mothers who own small 
businesses will be able to expand that business instead of closing 
their doors. More mothers will provide their children with a better 
life. On this Mother's Day, this House can tell mothers of America that 
we have not given them flowers, we have given them the flower shop.

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