[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3041-H3042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600

  H. Res. 1113 was introduced by Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska on April 
16, 2008, and was considered and reported from the Oversight Committee 
on May 1, 2008, by voice vote. Currently, the bill is cosponsored by 54 
Members of Congress and provides us all an opportunity to pay tribute 
to the importance of mothers and motherhood in general.
  It was on May 10, 1908, that our country first officially observed 
Mother's Day. On this day, church services, organized by Mother's Day 
founder Anna Jarvis in honor of her own recently deceased mother Ann 
Marie Reeve Jarvis, were held in Grafton, West Virginia, and 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  Following these services, the notion of celebrating motherhood gained 
a widespread popularity across the Nation leading to the creation of 
the Mother's Day International Association, which came into being on 
December 12, 1912, to promote and encourage meaningful observances of 
the role of mothers. However, it wasn't until May 9, 1914, that a 
presidential proclamation was issued that declared the second Sunday of 
May was to be observed as Mother's Day in America to honor all mothers.
  And now, here we are 100 years later and Mother's Day continues to 
hold a special place in the hearts of countless Americans as they set 
aside the second Sunday of every May to show their appreciation, love, 
and gratitude for the role of mothers.
  Mr. Speaker, let's also lift our voices in praise and thanks not only 
for the role in which our own mothers play, but for the contributions 
the 82.5 million American mothers make on a

[[Page H3042]]

daily basis for the betterment of their children and the advancement of 
our country.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to prove to my mother that I am 
a better son than the gentleman that I need to yield to, given that 
it's his resolution, Mr. Fortenberry. So he gets the prize of being the 
best son in the Chamber.
  I yield the gentleman from Nebraska such time as he may consume.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Let me add parenthetically before I begin that I am 
sure the gentleman from Connecticut is a fine son as well. But thank 
you for your kind introduction.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1908, the United States Senator from Nebraska, Elmer 
Burkett, rose before his colleagues to propose that Mother's Day be 
recognized as a national holiday. Notably, the Senator's proposal was 
defeated in a maelstrom of sensitivities concerning the role of women 
in society and the role of the Federal Government in honoring them. 
However, despite this setback, most States adopted Mother's Day 
celebrations 2 year after, and in 1914, due in large part to the 
unceasing dedication of support of a number of persons around the 
country, including Mrs. Jarvis that Representative Clay mentioned, 
Congress passed a resolution declaring the second Sunday in May as 
Mother's Day.
  President Woodrow Wilson then issued a proclamation directing the 
flying of the flag as ``a public expression of our love and reverence 
for the mothers of our country.'' One hundred years later, I now have 
the honor of rising to renew Senator Burkett's beginning effort to 
support the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
  Mothers have been celebrated throughout history in many languages, 
religions, and cultures, yet the practice remains far from antiquated. 
Few traditions have withstood the test of time as the social 
celebration of mothers. From its early Egyptian roots to our modern 
American holiday, the commemoration of mothers is timeless.
  We now honor all mothers without debate as to their role in politics 
or the Federal justification in doing so because they are mothers and 
thus make an immeasurable contribution to the very core of our society. 
Mothers sustain and strengthen our Nation through their leadership in 
the family and community. Despite the dynamic nature of society, the 
ability of mothers to rise to the challenge of raising their families, 
with love and understanding and compassion, remains constant.
  As we commemorate mothers for the integral role they play in shaping 
the course of our Nation's past, present, and future, we also revere 
and emphasize the importance of the role of the family and the home as 
the true and ever-present foundation of America.
  Each day in Congress, we tirelessly debate the challenges and nuances 
of maternity with limited time for appropriate philosophical 
reflection. So, Mr. Speaker, it is refreshing today that we have a 
resolution as this before us now. This Sunday, I and millions of 
Americans will thank our mothers who have shaped our lives and our 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish your mother and all mothers a Happy Mother's Day.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume and 
rise in support of H. Res 1113 supporting the goals and ideals of 
Mother's Day and to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
  This Sunday, May 11, many Americans will take a moment to remember 
the estimated 82 million mothers for their immeasurable contributions 
towards building strong families, thriving communities, and frankly, a 
strong country.
  The first Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on 
May 10, 1908. From there, the custom caught on, quickly spreading to 45 
other States. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first 
national Mother's Day as a day for American citizens to show the flag 
in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.
  Today, this holiday has grown to include all mothers in times of war 
and peace. Traditionally, mothers have represented the backbone of 
families in every culture throughout the world. Mothers are called upon 
to nurture, teach, and provide guidance to those that have been 
entrusted in their care. It is their responsibility to raise productive 
citizens of their communities and ultimately, the world.
  As Washington Irving said, ``A mother is the truest friend we have, 
when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the 
place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine 
desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, 
and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds 
of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.''
  It is that very peace in our hearts which brings us to honor the 
women we hold dear and to show steadfast support of our mother's love 
that helps shape us throughout our lives.
  For this reason, I urge the passage of H. Res 1113. I thank all 
mothers, and I thank my mother, Margaret Oliver Shays.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Fortenberry) for bringing this timely resolution to the floor. And also 
let me wish all of the sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, 
and friends Happy Mother's Day this Sunday.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1113.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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