[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 20817-20820]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORTING GOLD STAR MOTHERS DAY

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 61) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold 
Star Mothers Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 61

       Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers have suffered the 
     supreme sacrifice of motherhood by losing sons and daughters 
     who served in the Armed Forces, and thus perpetuate the 
     memory of all whose lives were sacrificed in our wars;
       Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers assist veterans of 
     the Armed Forces and their dependents in the presentation of 
     claims to the Veterans' Administration, and aid the men and 
     women who served and died or were wounded or incapacitated 
     during hostilities;
       Whereas the services rendered to the United States by the 
     mothers of America have strengthened and inspired our Nation 
     throughout our history;
       Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when 
     we revere and emphasize the role of the home and the family 
     as the true foundations of our Nation;
       Whereas by doing so much for the home, the American mother 
     is a source of moral and spiritual guidance for the people of 
     the United States and thus acts as a positive force to 
     promote good government and peace among all mankind; and
       Whereas September 25, 2005, is being recognized as Gold 
     Star Mothers Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled,  That the 
     Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day; 
     and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe such 
     day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Maloney) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material therein on the joint resolution 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Gold Star Mothers is an organization that was founded back in 1928, 
and it is an organization that no one would ever want to join.
  For the benefit of those who do not know, there is only one way that 
one can become a member of the Gold Star Mothers Association, and that 
is that they receive a message from the Pentagon, and normally that 
comes in the form of two uniformed officers coming to their door to 
inform them that they have lost a son or a daughter in combat.
  The organization was started back in 1928 by a group of mothers who 
thought that they could help each other in the healing process by 
coming together. They also thought it was important to advance the 
goals of the United States of America and to continue to remind us 
about our patriotic responsibilities as Americans.
  The Gold Star Mothers have been around a long time. In 1936 President 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a proclamation designating that the 
fourth Sunday in September will be Gold Star Mothers Day, and, 
unfortunately, we as Americans began to forget that the fourth Sunday 
in September was designated as Gold Star Mothers Day.
  A year ago I was at a special celebration in Rochester, Minnesota at 
our veterans memorial where they unveiled a new statue depicting a Gold 
Star Mother, and many of the veterans that were there and some of the 
leaders of that group asked if I would do all that I could to remind 
Americans that there is a special day for Gold Star Mothers and to do 
what I could to at least bring attention to the fact that the fourth 
Sunday this year, September 25, is

[[Page 20818]]

Gold Star Mothers Day. So we began that process almost a year ago of 
putting together this joint resolution of doing what we can to call 
attention to the fact, that they do have a special day and they deserve 
special recognition not only by Members of this House and the United 
States Congress but by all Americans. So we have put together this 
joint resolution. I am happy to say that we have well over 200 
cosponsors in the House. And, frankly, I suspect if we were given 
enough time, we would have virtually every Member of this House in 
support of this joint resolution.
  This is not about making any political statement of any kind. These 
are very special people. They deserve our recognition. This Sunday, 
September 25, is their day. So this joint resolution is just calling 
attention not only to the House, but hopefully to all Americans, that 
Gold Star Mothers are special people, they have a special day, and we 
recognize them on September 25.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the American Gold Star Mothers is an organization of 
women whose sons and daughters gave their lives in the service of their 
country. It is a group no one wishes to be a member of, but as their 
children answered the call of duty, so do mothers who are left behind.
  Grace Darling Seibold was compelled to help others grieve and 
veterans heal upon learning of her own son's death in 1918 during World 
War I. ``Realizing that self-contained grief is self-destructive,'' 
Seibold formed a group of grieving mothers to comfort not only each 
other but wounded soldiers as well.

                              {time}  1130

  The group of 25 mothers who bonded by sacrifice and tragedy was 
formally established as Gold Star Mothers, Inc., on January 5, 1929. 
The Gold Star Mothers organization now consists of over 900 members. 
The organization assists veterans with benefit claims, families with 
funeral arrangements, and, of course, mothers with grief. The Gold Star 
Mothers are a true representation of the many levels of service and 
sacrifice that exists in the defense of our country.
  The Gold Star Mothers are a true testament to American patriotism and 
should be recognized for their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I move that my 
colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives join me in 
recognizing the establishment of Gold Star Mothers Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
distinguished colleague from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Chairman Gutknecht), for 
offering this legislation. It is very timely and extremely important. I 
also thank him for his sensitivity to our Nation's Gold Star Mothers 
who have suffered so much.
  I am proud to rise today, Mr. Speaker, to strongly support H.J. Res. 
61, which recognizes a group of very, very special women, American's 
Gold Star Mothers. These women are from different parts of our great 
country and have different backgrounds, are of varying age, hold 
different beliefs, and practice different religions.
  Despite so many differences, they share the same experience. Each of 
these women raised a young man or woman who served their country in the 
Armed Forces. Their children helped to bring freedom and promote peace 
and justice for those who have never felt its touch. Sadly, Mr. 
Speaker, each raised a young man or woman who gave their life for their 
country, the ultimate sacrifice.
  These special women, the Gold Star Mothers of America, are members of 
a congressionally chartered organization. They are part of a group that 
had its beginning in the first great conflict of the 20th century, 
World War I. At the time, service flags were displayed on homes that 
had family members serving the country and blue stars were displayed 
for each family member in the Armed Forces. Eventually, as casualties 
grew, the blue stars were turned to gold stars in recognition of each 
servicemember who died for their country. In 1936, as my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Chairman Gutknecht), said, 
Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers 
Day.
  Mr. Speaker, as we know, their loss is unimaginable, their pain is 
unspeakable; yet these women find the spirit to walk together simply 
for the benefit of others and to work very hard for the benefit of 
others, to make sure that each of us remembers the sacrifice of their 
son or beloved daughter. They have a unique ability to remind us of our 
noble cause, ensuring that we will forever remember that America's 
freedom originated and is maintained through a constant struggle that 
is still being fought today.
  In addition, they remind us that the decision to send troops into 
harm's way is made with severe consequence, the loss of the precious 
life of a young American. The way in which these ladies channel their 
sorrow, their grief, their anger, to further the ideals to which their 
sons and daughters gave their lives, is truly remarkable.
  The actions of these women are amazing. I have met them for years as 
a Member of this Congress. Every year we would have them testify before 
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and then in meetings 
afterwards, as well as in my own district and State, and I have met 
with so many Gold Star Mothers who tell their stories of their son or 
daughter, often accompanied with tears.
  But they can also teach us a very important lesson, Mr. Speaker. At a 
time when overt partisanship seems rampant, while our country yearns so 
desperately for its people to come together on so many fronts, the Gold 
Star Mothers represent the very best of American values and ideals. If 
they, despite their grief, can come together to provide so much to 
other veterans and the community at large, surely we can all take the 
time to let them know that their country is proud of them and salutes 
them on their Mothers Day.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York 
(Mrs. Maloney); and I especially want to thank my colleague, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for his very, very special 
speech that he just gave.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize personally five very special 
women from my congressional district who have received that call or had 
that visit from military officials.
  First, let me recognize Vickie Bruce from Rochester, Minnesota. Her 
son, Corporal Travis Bruce, graduated from Mayo High School in 
Rochester, Minnesota. He also served as a personal security officer for 
Ambassador Bremmer. He was killed in the line of duty March 23, 2005.
  Marny Fasnacht from Janesville, Minnesota. Her son, First Lieutenant 
Michael Fasnacht of the U.S. Army, graduated from Minnesota State 
University in Mankato, Minnesota. He was an Army Ranger. He was hit by 
a remote bomb while on patrol in a Bradley fighting vehicle and died 
June 8, 2005.
  Maria Bernal of Alden, Minnesota. Her son, Juan, graduated from 
Weslaco High School in Texas. He served in the Marines for 5 years. He 
was injured during security and stability operations in Anbar Province, 
Iraq. He died August 2, 2005.
  Deb Goodnature, Clarks Grove, Minnesota. Her son, Chief Warrant 
Officer Corey Goodnature, served in the United States Army. He 
graduated from the University of Minnesota. He was in Special 
Operations, and he was a Night Stalker. He was shot down flying his 
helicopter in eastern Afghanistan and died June 28 of 2005.
  Finally, let me recognize Norma Benson from Winona, Minnesota. Her 
son, Sergeant Mike Benson of the U.S. Army, was a Winona native. He had

[[Page 20819]]

served 19 years in the United States military. He was a victim of a 
suicide bomb attack in Iraq. He died August 10 of 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not about making some political statement; it is 
simply about saying thank you, congratulations, we appreciate you, and 
recognizing that the fourth Sunday in September is Gold Star Mothers 
Day. They deserve this day. They deserve our appreciation.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a resolution 
honoring the Gold Star Mothers of America.
  As a parent, I can only imagine the pain that is felt by surviving 
family members after the death of child. To the Gold Star Mothers in 
Utah and throughout our Nation, this nation is deeply in your debt. 
Your children served this great country of ours and they have paid the 
highest price. We can ask no more of any American.
  In the past 3 years, I have had the honor and the privilege to meet 
many soldiers as they leave for war. These brave soldiers are not 
complaining in their last moments in America, rather, they are strong, 
and proud to serve this country. They remind me that the price of 
freedom is terribly high. It's a cost they have agreed to bear, but 
those of us here at home cannot take it for granted.
  The American Gold Star Mothers organization was founded by Grace 
Darling Seibold after the death of her son in 1918, during World War I. 
Somehow, through her pain and her loss, Grace still managed to devote 
her time to organizing a group of other mothers who had lost soldiers 
in combat. In the years since the Gold Star Mothers was founded, these 
women have always honored fallen soldiers and they have channeled their 
own grief into lessening the pain of other families.
  It's easy to talk about the sacrifices made by brave Americans, but 
the pain and the memories are always carried by the loved ones left 
behind. Many families have soldiers who come home wounded; some 
families have soldiers who do not make it home at all. The hardship 
that these families face may seem unbearable and it is our duty as 
members of Congress to do whatever we can to ease their burden.
  Homes in Utah that have received Gold Stars, Purple Hearts, folded 
flags and last letters home know the price of freedom. They pray to end 
this war and all wars, so that others may be spared such a loss.
  I believe that we will never be able to thank those soldiers and 
their families enough for the sacrifice that they make, but I do 
believe we should try. This resolution is one small way for us to honor 
mothers who have lost children in service to this nation. I am proud to 
support making September 25th Gold Star Mothers Day.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and respect that I 
wish to commend the mothers of Indiana's First Congressional District 
who have suffered the ultimate sacrifice of motherhood by losing sons 
and daughters who served in the Armed Forces. Their courage and 
perseverance perpetuate the memory of all whose lives were sacrificed 
in our wars.
  In honor of Gold Star Mother's Day 2005, I would in particular like 
to recognize the mothers of the First Congressional District who have 
lost a child in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
They are Katherine Brown, the mother of Army Specialist Adam J. 
Harting; Kim Greenberg, the mother of Army Specialist Nicholas R. 
Idalski; Summer Lipford, the mother of Army Private First Class Steven 
F. Sirko; Towina ``Gail'' Nightingale, the mother of Army Private First 
Class Nathan E. Stahl; Marie Lisa Campos Miranda, the mother of Army 
Private Luis Perez; Susan Amos, the mother of Army Private First Class 
John Amos; Janie Espinoza, the mother of Army Reserve Specialist Roy 
Russell Buckley; Roberta Rios, the mother of Marine Sergeant Duane R. 
Rios; Leslie Sanders, the mother of Army Specialist Gregory P. Sanders; 
the late Janet Winters, the mother of Marine Sergeant Jeannette L. 
Winters.
  The Gold Star Mothers and the soldiers of the First Congressional 
District are powerful examples of service and sacrifice for us all. 
With dignity, bravery, and compassion, they have worked to promote 
patriotism, foster peace, and encourage goodwill. Their generosity of 
spirit has touched the lives of countless Americans and made certain 
that the selflessness they demonstrated in service to our country 
remains a prominent part of our national character. I speak for this 
entire body when I say that words cannot express the gratitude we have 
for these courageous individuals.
  Gold Star Mother's Day was established in respect and recognition of 
the sacrifices our Gold Star Mothers have made. The Congress designated 
the last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star Mother's Day'' in 1936 and 
authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
observance of this day. This day is a fitting public salute of the 
sympathy and the respect that our Nation holds for its Gold Star 
Mothers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring the mothers of the fallen heroes of the First 
Congressional District. Today, as we enjoy the peace and security our 
Nation has achieved through the sacrifices of American citizens, Gold 
Star Mothers can take solace in knowing that their sons and daughters 
left all humanity a legacy of invaluable meaning. Let us never forget 
the sacrifices they made to preserve the ideals of freedom and 
democracy.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation honors Gold Star Mothers, I 
rise today to honor a Gold Star mother from Colorado. Everyone knows 
that teachers have a heart for kids. Marian Lutters from Burlington, 
Colorado, devoted much of her life to elementary students.
  Before he left for Iraq, Mrs. Lutters' students were privileged to 
have her son Derrick come to her second grade classroom. He explained 
that he was going to Iraq as a soldier. He explained what the conflict 
was all about and what he wanted to accomplish. The young students were 
attentive and some of them later wrote letters to Derrick while he was 
in Iraq.
  Sadly, Derrick Lutters lost his life in battle on May 1, 2005, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Derrick's death was a tragedy for his family 
and the entire community. Small towns are like that--they are like 
family and very close knit. Derrick's friends and former co-workers 
were devastated by the loss.
  Marian Lutters expressed how proud the entire family was of her son, 
``He said he wanted to protect people and help establish a better way 
of life, especially for children.'' Her words aptly honor her son's 
ultimate sacrifice.
  Mrs. Lutters is supported by the entire community, and it is my 
desire that she also feels the continued respect, admiration, and 
heartfelt sympathy from the Members of Congress and Americans across 
the country.
  Mr. Speaker, as our Nation honors Gold Star Mothers, I rise today to 
honor a Gold Star mother from Colorado. JoAnn Rehn was born and raised 
in Milbank, South Dakota, on a dairy farm called Schmidt Dairy. She 
married her husband Charles Rehn about 40 years ago. They had 3 sons. 
The oldest, Joe, the middle Randall, and Jimmy the youngest.
  They moved to Colorado 33 years ago and settled in Longmont, where 
JoAnn lives today. For many years she has run a small business out of 
her home. She is a hardworking, industrious woman.
  The military heritage comes from a great, great grandfather on the 
father's side. He was a Swedish General. JoAnn's son Randy joined the 
military in the mid-80's. Jobs were scarce, he was a gung-ho guy, and 
there was lots of opportunity in the military.
  Sadly, Randy lost his life on April 3, 2003 in battle during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite the heartbreak of losing Randy, the 
family still believes he died for a noble cause. When asked why his 
mother should be honored, Randy's brother Joe said, ``She believed in 
what he was doing, fighting for our freedom, and despite the loss, she 
would make the sacrifice again. Our freedom is worth more than dollars. 
Having Randy gone is a negative for me and our family. But here is the 
positive part: freedom for America is what it is all about and God 
bless everyone else that feels the same way.''
  Randy's brother Joe also thinks it is really hard on his Mom to hear 
about more soldiers being killed on the news everyday. ``You have to 
continually re-live the loss over and over, and that makes moms and 
families hurt continually. Hopefully it ends soon and we can all move 
on,'' Joe said.
  Up to 1,000 people attended Randy's funeral in Longmont, paying the 
highest respect to him and his loved ones. It is my hope that Randy 
Rehn's family, especially his dear mother, feels the continued respect, 
admiration, and heartfelt sympathy from Members of Congress and 
Americans across this great nation.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 
61. In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold 
Star Mothers Day. This resolution, of which I am a cosponsor, expresses 
the support of this House for the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers 
Day.
  The American Gold Star Mothers are a group of mothers who have lost 
sons and daughters who served in the armed services. The group also 
assists veterans and their dependents in submitting claims to the 
Veterans Affairs Department.
  The Gold Star Mothers are a true representation of the many levels of 
service and sacrifice that exists in the defense of our country.

[[Page 20820]]

Like many members across the country, the Gold Star Mothers in my 
district of El Paso, Texas, remind us of the never-ending bond between 
families. They remind us of the sacrifice that families of veterans 
make as they endure the fears and concerns of having loved ones 
overseas, and the loss of loved ones who never return.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and this House to swiftly pass the 
resolution before us.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 
61, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day. I am 
proud to be a cosponsor of this important resolution, which honors the 
mothers of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
  We often invoke the sacrifices of our nation's fallen in general. 
Seldom do we take the time to thank them and their families 
individually. In June and July of this year, I joined 21 other members 
from both sides of the aisle to read the names of each of our fallen on 
the house floor. I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize an 
thank the mothers of these individual heroes.
  President Franklin D. Roosevelt once wrote to the mother of a fallen 
serviceman, ``He stands in the unbroken line of Patriots who have dared 
to die that freedom might live, and grow and increase its blessings. 
Freedom lives, and through it he lives, in a way that humbles the 
undertakings of most men.''
  Organizations such as American Gold Star Mothers keep the memory of 
these heroes alive, as they help fellow mothers and family members of 
the fallen work through the grief of losing a loved one. They are also 
actively involved in their communities, visiting VA hospitals, helping 
veterans with claims to the Veterans Administration and volunteering at 
patriotic and memorial services throughout the year.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the words of President Abraham 
Lincoln, who wrote to the mother of five fallen soldiers in the Civil 
War: ``I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your 
bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and 
lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a 
sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.''
  We owe gold star mothers and their families a debt that can never be 
fully repaid. I hope all Americans will take this opportunity to 
recognize and thank America's Gold Star Mothers.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 61.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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