[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24876]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              RECOGNIZING AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHER'S DAY

 Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize that 
September 27, 2009, is designated as ``Gold Star Mother's Day.''
  It is fitting that we recognize the American Gold Star Mothers, whose 
sons and daughters have died in defense of the ideals of individual 
liberty. They should be honored and offered respect and gratitude for 
their personal sacrifice.
  Gold Star Mother's Day is intended to honor women who deserve special 
recognition and gratitude for their tremendous personal loss on behalf 
of our country.
  During the early days of World War I, a Blue Star was used to 
represent each soldier in military service of the United States, and as 
the war progressed and soldiers were killed or wounded in combat or 
died from wounds or disease, a Gold Star superimposed over the Blue 
Star designated the loss of these individuals. This tradition 
recognized soldiers for their ultimate sacrifice to our country, and 
the Gold Star offered families an outward symbol by which to honor the 
loss of a loved one. In 1928, the Gold Star tradition was formalized in 
Washington, DC, by a group of mothers who had lost sons and daughters 
in service to their country and met to form the American Gold Star 
Mothers organization. This organization is a nondenominational, 
nonprofitable, and nonpolitical organization that is dedicated in 
supporting veterans, military families, and servicemembers returning 
from our present-day battlefields.
  In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt issued a proclamation which 
recognized Gold Star Mothers for their strength and inspiration to this 
country. The services rendered to the United States by the mothers of 
America have strengthened and inspired our Nation throughout history, 
and we honor the Gold Star Mothers of America for their courage and 
their strength.

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