[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORTING GOLD STAR MOTHERS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1617, 
which supports the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day. Gold Star 
Mothers Day is observed on the last Sunday of September each year. I am 
proud to cosponsor H. Res. 1617, and I thank my colleague, Congressman 
Roskam for introducing this resolution.
  Gold Star Mothers Day reminds us all of the ultimate sacrifice made 
by our men and women in uniform who gave their lives for our country. 
We also remember the mothers of our fallen soldiers who have to deal 
with the pain of losing their child.
  On June 4, 1928, the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was established 
when twenty-five mothers who lost a child in World War I met in 
Washington, DC. Membership was later opened to mothers who lost 
children in other armed conflicts. Congress then designated the last 
Sunday as Gold Star Mothers Day on June 23, 1936.
  These remarkable women have turned their grief into service to 
others. Gold Star Mothers provides a mutual bond of sympathy and 
support. They also assist veterans and their dependents with VA claims, 
and provide aid to service members and their families who have died or 
were wounded during active duty.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize the 11 service members from 
Long Beach, California, which is in my district, who lost their lives 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They 
are: Pfc. Sephen Castellano, Sgt. Anthony Davis, Jr., Pvt. Ernesto 
Guerra, Spec. Roberto Martinez Salazar, Pfc. David T. Toomalatai, Staff 
Sgt. Joshua Whitaker, Sgt. 1st Class Randy Collins, Sgt. Israel Garcia, 
Pfc. Lyndon Marcus, Jr., Spec. Astor Sunsin-Pineda, Pfc. George Torres. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and remembering these 
individuals for their service to our country, and to keep their 
families and especially their mothers in our thoughts and prayers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1617 and I yield back the remainder of my time.

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