[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7707-7708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF MOTHER'S DAY

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1113) celebrating the role of mothers in the United 
States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1113

       Whereas Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of 
     each May;
       Whereas the first official Mother's Day was observed on May 
     10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, 
     Pennsylvania;
       Whereas 2008 is the 100th anniversary of the first official 
     Mother's Day observation;
       Whereas in 1908, Elmer Burkett, a U.S. Senator from 
     Nebraska, proposed making Mother's Day a national holiday;
       Whereas in 1914, Congress passed a resolution designating 
     the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day;
       Whereas it is estimated that there are more than 82,000,000 
     mothers in the United States;
       Whereas mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward 
     building strong families, thriving communities, and 
     ultimately a strong Nation;
       Whereas the services rendered to the children of the United 
     States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired the 
     Nation throughout its history;
       Whereas 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;
       Whereas mothers continue to rise to the challenge of 
     raising their families with love, understanding, and 
     compassion, while overcoming the challenges of modern 
     society; and
       Whereas May 11, 2008 is recognized as Mother's Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives celebrates the 
     role of mothers in the United States and supports the goals 
     and ideals of Mother's Day.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, with the annual mother's holiday just a few 
short days away, I am pleased to join in the consideration of H. Res. 
1113, which aims to recognize and celebrate the role of mothers in our 
country by supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.

                              {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 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

[[Page 7708]]

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.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 1113, ``Celebrating the Role of Mothers in the United 
States.'' I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Jeff 
Fortenberry of Nebraska, for introducing this heartfelt legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Mother myself, I am extremely proud to stand before 
you on a day recognizing mothers. Mothers are the strongest link in the 
family chain. She holds the family together, nurturing both child and 
husband.
  I want to thank my own mother and grandmother for their support over 
the years. I also want to thank all of the mothers who take care of not 
only their natural children but also the children in the community, the 
children in foster care, and children overseas.
  The annual number of Texas children in foster care has risen steadily 
in recent years. In November 2003, there were about 16,000 children in 
foster care and an additional 5,000 in other care, such as kinship 
care; 2,146 children were served in emergency shelters and homes; 671 
children were served in placements outside the foster care system, such 
as nursing homes, mental health/mental retardation facilities, 
hospitals and juvenile justice facilities.
  In a study by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which 
oversees the Department of Family and Protective Services, they stated 
that Black children stay in foster care significantly longer, are less 
likely to be reunited with their families, and wait longer for adoption 
than white or Hispanic children.
  They are everybody's children, and nobody's children. They are the 
forgotten children in the Texas foster care system. Black, White, 
Hispanic, Asian--they all need the love of a mother, the nurturing of a 
family, and the support of their community. Some of them find homes 
with caring foster parents, or in treatment centers with experienced 
and caring providers. And some do not.
  Some foster children have been moved among 30, 40, or even more all-
too-temporary ``homes.'' Some have been sexually, physically, and 
emotionally abused while in the system; some have run away and joined 
the ranks of the missing. A few have even died at the hands of those 
entrusted with their care.
  The mission of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, 
DPRS, now called the Department of Family and Protective Services, is 
to protect the unprotected--children, the elderly and people with 
disabilities--from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The system 
responsible for protecting our foster children sometimes is little 
better than the homes from which they were taken.
  Many of these children are not safe, and their futures are uncertain. 
They didn't ask to be put in foster care, and many endured great 
suffering before entering the system.
  These children need mothers too. They need families. At a time when 
we are celebrating all that mothers bring, all that grandmothers bring, 
and all that a real family brings to the upbringing of healthy and 
successful children; we must remember the children who do not have 
mothers and we must reach out.
  As we near Mother's Day, let me say thank you to all the mothers near 
and far, in Congress, in my district, and even working in my office. I 
celebrate you and your children celebrate you. Thank you for all that 
you do for your children and for the community.
  I urge my colleagues to remember not only their mothers but the other 
women they called mother in their schools, and in their communities. 
Let's celebrate mothers and H. Res. 1113.
  Mr. CLAY. 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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