[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 68 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING MOTHERS AND MOTHER'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 1295, ``Celebrating the role of mothers in the 
United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.'' 
First and foremost I would like to thank my distinguished colleague 
from Nebraska, Representative Jeff Fortenberry, for introducing this 
bill. It is vital we recognize that mothers have made immeasurable 
contributions toward building strong families, thriving communities, 
and ultimately a strong nation. The services rendered to the children 
of the United States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired 
the Nation throughout its history.
  Today I stand before my colleagues honoring the 102d anniversary 
since the first official Mother's Day. As a mother of two children 
myself, I understand the hardships and difficulties that so many 
mothers face every day in our country. We honor ourselves and mothers 
in the United States when we revere and emphasize the importance of the 
role of the home and family as the true foundation of the Nation. I 
want to pay tribute to my mother Ivalita Jackson who has stood the test 
of time in rearing and raising her children. I would also like to take 
this time to honor my aunt Valerie Bennett for her constant love and 
support. To the mothers of Houston, too many to name here, I salute you 
for your dedication to raising and saving your children.
  Today, thousands of mothers in this country have become active and 
effective participants in public life and public service, promoting 
change and improving the quality of life for men, women, and children 
throughout the Nation.
  Mothers continue to rise to the challenge of raising their families 
with love, understanding, and compassion, while overcoming the 
challenges of modern society; Mothers throughout our country juggle 
between work, family and the household, all with a smile on their 
faces.
  On May 9, 2010, we will honor mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, 
stepmothers, foster mothers and godmothers who take in children, 
mothers who adopt, those who act as mothers, for those women who have 
no relations by blood but who give the gift of mothering to children.
  I want to congratulate and praise all of the mothers in America for 
all of their hard work. Mothers have a huge influence on our everyday 
lives; we owe all of our success to them. As former President George 
Washington put it best ``My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever 
saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to 
the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.'' 
We can never thank our mothers enough for all the sacrifices they have 
made for us. I wish all families a very happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

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