[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 76 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF MOTHER'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I wish to honor our Nation's 
mothers this Mother's Day because they embody the definition of 
strength, courage and compassion. Mothers are the backbone of American 
values and vitality and I ask that my colleagues honor the mothers of 
our Nation on Sunday, May 11, 2008.
  The history of celebrating Mother's Day began when Anna Jarvis of 
West Virginia desired to honor the life of her deceased mother, Anna 
Reeves Jarvis. In 1908, Jarvis' church honored her mother as the first 
Mother's Day Celebration and then, in 1910, the governor of West 
Virginia, William Glasscock, wrote the first Mother's Day Proclamation, 
which encouraged families to celebrate Mother's Day. Anna Jarvis moved 
beyond her home State and urged the Federal Government to establish a 
national day to celebrate Mother's Day. Eventually the Sixty-Third 
Congress passed H.J. Res. 263. This resolution designated the second 
Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The next day President Woodrow Wilson 
signed a Presidential Proclamation directing the Nation to display 
flags on government buildings and homes to show America's love and 
dedication for mothers.
  Mother's Day is a time for Americans nationwide to show affection and 
respect for the everyday heroines we call mothers, aunts, great aunts, 
grandmothers and great grandmothers--women of courage and strength that 
carry our country by raising children and uplifting our families. On 
May 11th, I urge my colleagues and fellow citizens to celebrate 
Mother's Day.

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