[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 7148-7151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING MOTHERS AND MOTHER'S DAY

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1295) 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. 1295

       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 2010 is the 102nd 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 George Washington said, ``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.'';
       Whereas Abraham Lincoln said, ``All that I am or ever hope 
     to be, I owe to my angel mother.'';
       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 9, 2010, 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 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and add any extraneous materials.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1295 for 
consideration. This legislation celebrates the role of mothers in the 
United States and supports the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
  Introduced by my colleague and friend Representative Jeff Fortenberry 
of Nebraska on April 22, 2010, House Resolution 1295 enjoys the support 
of over 60 Members of Congress, and I am proud to say that I have gone 
out on a limb and become one of those cosponsors.
  First, I would like to thank the gentleman from Nebraska for 
introducing the resolution. I would also like to thank Chairman Towns 
and Mr. Chaffetz, my colleague on the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, for bringing the resolution to the floor today.

[[Page 7149]]

  On Sunday, May 9, 2010, we will celebrate the 102nd anniversary of 
the first official Mother's Day, which was celebrated on May 10, 1908, 
in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It may come 
as a surprise to some, particularly our own mothers, that it took 
nearly 103 years for our country to officially designate a day praising 
motherhood. Thankfully, in 1908 Senator Elmer Burkett of Nebraska had 
the good sense to propose making Mother's Day into a national holiday. 
And since 1914, Congress has recognized the second Sunday of May as a 
time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions mothers have made 
toward building strong families, thriving communities, and our great 
Nation generally.
  I would not presume to speak on behalf of America's 82 million 
mothers. Instead, I would simply recognize their importance in shaping 
our society and our future. Many of our greatest national heroes 
attribute their own successes to the guidance of their moms. While 
examples abound, I will quote President Abraham Lincoln, who once said 
of his own mother, ``I remember my mother's prayers, and they have 
always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.'' I am sure that 
similar thanks and praise are appropriate for mothers of every 
American.
  Madam Speaker, although I think you would agree that it is completely 
inadequate to spend just 1 day a year celebrating the contributions of 
America's mothers, my wife regularly reminds me that in our house every 
day is Mother's Day. As a small token of our appreciation, I urge this 
body to join its 63 cosponsors and agree to House Resolution 1295.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1295. Now, this is 
something I can actually get really excited about and proud of the body 
for taking up because the celebration of the role of mothers in the 
United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day is 
something that I am sure we can be unified on.
  This Sunday, May 9, many Americans will take a moment to pay tribute 
to the estimated 82 million mothers for their immeasurable 
contributions toward building strong families and successful 
communities throughout our country.
  The first Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, 102 
years ago 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 Americans to celebrate a 
woman's role in the family and as a day for citizens to show the flag 
in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war. Celebrated on the 
second Sunday in May, this holiday has grown to include all mothers in 
times of war and peace and is now celebrated in many countries across 
the globe.
  Throughout history mothers have traditionally represented the 
strength of families. Their nurturing spirit transcends any differences 
in every culture as mothers protect, guide, and teach their children.
  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 with joy in our hearts that once again we honor the women who 
most of us hold dear, to recognize the steadfast love and support of 
our mothers who helped shape us throughout our lives.
  On a personal note, I miss my mother. She passed away some years ago. 
I love her and I miss her.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished 
colleague from the State of Alabama (Mr. Bachus).
  Mr. BACHUS. I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to speak on this bill and also on the coin 
bill.
  There is a bond between mothers and their children that words cannot 
describe. For the lucky ones among us, the more fortunate ones, a 
mother, our mother or someone else's mother, or a mother figure such as 
a grandmother, has made all the difference in the world in our lives. 
The tender care, the unending support, and the unconditional love of a 
mother truly are life's greatest blessings for a child.
  Every year on the second Sunday in May, this Nation honors its 
mothers. It will do so again this Sunday. We seek to acknowledge their 
tireless support and their enduring love.
  Few of us realize how the tradition began. As Mrs. Capito said, it 
began through the efforts of one lady in 1868 at the end of the Civil 
War. Her name was Anna Jarvis, and she dreamed of an annual Mother's 
Day.
  However, she didn't live to see that, but her daughter did. On May 9, 
1907, the second anniversary of Mrs. Jarvis's death, her daughter 
organized a group of friends, and within a year they began having 
church services on the second Sunday of May throughout West Virginia. 
It spread to Philadelphia. And then in 1910, the Governor of West 
Virginia, Governor William Glassock, issued a Mother's Day 
proclamation. The next year Mother's Day services were held in all the 
States. And later that year, President Woodrow Wilson, responding to a 
joint resolution of Congress, issued a proclamation setting aside the 
second Sunday of each May for displaying the American flag as a public 
expression of our love and reverence for our mothers. The mothers of 
our country.
  Today that celebration has spread throughout the world. It began in 
West Virginia and here in the United States, another thing we as 
Americans can be proud of as we honor our mothers this Sunday.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished 
colleague from the State of Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. I thank my friend from Utah for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud supporter of House Resolution 
1295, celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and 
supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
  Mothers are the foundation of the family, and their care and love of 
children have and continue to nurture the future leaders of this great 
Nation. Each day I am overwhelmed by the wonderful mothers in my own 
life, in my family, all the way from my mom to my wife to my daughters, 
which represents three generations of commitment to strong families and 
successful youth. These women, and so many like them, are the backbone 
of America.
  Madam Speaker, today I thank my mother for instilling in my brothers 
and me the hard work, good education, personal responsibility, respect 
for the diversity of others, love of family and country, but, most 
importantly, love of God.
  I must also take a moment to honor my wife for her undying love and 
devotion to our four children and now, as of Monday, 10 grandchildren.

                              {time}  1245

  My wife, Billie, has and forever will be an example for all mothers 
on how to raise a strong and beautiful family. I'm proud of all mothers 
in the 11th District of Georgia who are dedicated to family values and 
compassion for their children. While passing on the ideals and strength 
that they have instilled into each child they rear, America's mothers 
are responsible for raising the next generation of mature adults.
  Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution, as I know they will, honoring all blessed mothers for their 
commitment to protecting our Nation's greatest treasure--the American 
family.

[[Page 7150]]


  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to my 
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), 
the chief sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentleman for the time.
  Madam Speaker, as we all know, this Sunday, millions of Americans 
will celebrate the 102nd Mother's Day. The dedication, the grace, and 
the love of our mothers are written on all of our hearts and the 
history of our Nation, and I think it can be rightly said that the 
great character of America is due to the collective visionary might of 
the American mother. President Abraham Lincoln elucidated this very 
well: ``All I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. I remember my 
mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to 
me all my life.''
  Across time, traditions, and cultures, mothers have long been 
recognized and uplifted for their irreplaceable contributions to the 
family and to society. But it wasn't until a woman, as we heard 
earlier, from Grafton, West Virginia, named Ana M. Jarvis, held an 
observance in her mother's honor at St. Andrews Methodist Church, that 
the modern American Mother's Day first began. The quest for the 
official recognition of Mother's Day, however, began in my own home 
State of Nebraska. Ms. Jarvis and the Young Men's Christian Association 
urged the junior Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, to bring the 
celebration before Congress for a vote in 1908. It didn't pass then--it 
took until 1914--but they got it done. Congress eventually declared 
that ``the service rendered the United States by the American mother is 
the greatest source of the country's strength and inspiration.''
  Since that time, our society has undergone vast transformations, but 
it is a testament to the enduring role of the family as the true 
foundation of America that Mother's Day still stands strong, even amid 
the nuances of modernity. Mothers have sustained and strengthened our 
Nation through every generation, and their compassionate leadership in 
the family and in their communities has remained a constant even 
through turbulent times. Each day, mothers are called to carry on the 
essential challenge of nurturing and fortifying our world, of building 
a better future for their--for our--children. The strength of the 
Nation ultimately is determined by the strength of our families and 
communities--and mothers shape that strength through their unique and 
integral role.
  Madam Speaker, in times when we have become mired in bitter policy 
disputes, I believe it is refreshing to come together as a body now to 
honor the women who have literally given us the breath to stand on this 
floor, to defend our convictions, and maybe, to try to effect some good 
in this world. We join with millions of Americans echoing the father of 
our country, George Washington, who said, ``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.''
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the time, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this timeless resolution.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I simply want to say that the 
foundation, the future of our country, is rooted in our families--and 
that starts with mothers. The mother of our children, my wife, I can't 
thank her enough for what she does and for what the literally millions 
and millions of mothers do and sacrifice every day for the sake of 
their children.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
1295, which celebrates the role of mothers in the United States and 
supports the goals and ideals of Mother's Day. Mother's Day is one of 
the most important holidays in our country. It is critical that we 
honor and recognize the central role that mothers play in raising the 
youth of our nation and shaping the future of our country.
  I was fortunate enough to be raised by a wonderful mother who 
lovingly cared for me and taught me the skills that I would need to 
excel in my adult life and career. There are more than 82 million 
mothers in the United States and each one of them deserves to be 
recognized on Mother's Day. Mothers work tirelessly every day to raise 
their children in loving households while juggling careers and 
countless other responsibilities.
  We owe special recognition to the single mothers across the country, 
who work longer and harder to ensure that their children have the 
resources and care they need to experience a fulfilling childhood and 
grow into well-rounded adults.
  We also must not forget the grandmothers and aunts, in California's 
37th district and across the country, who raise their grandchildren, 
nieces, and nephews. No one requires them to assume this 
responsibility; many of them have already raised or are currently 
raising children of their own. But they do so selflessly and without 
complaint, loving these children as if they were their own. Mother's 
day is a celebration of these individuals too--it is a salute to all of 
the women across the country who shape the lives of America's youth.
  We can never repay the mothers of this country for their hard and 
often thankless work. Especially in these tough economic times, many of 
them struggle financially, taking on extra jobs to make sure that they 
can put food on the table and send their children to school in new 
clothes. These individuals deserve our support. This Congress has 
responded to that need with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which 
will ensure for women across the country that equal work gets equal 
pay. We also passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 
which will help mothers provide themselves and their children with 
quality health care and end health insurance discrimination against 
women. Ensuring this basic fairness is the least we can do for the 
mothers who mean so much to our country.
  Our nation's most influential leaders shared this reverence for our 
nation's mothers. George Washington once said, ``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.'' Abraham Lincoln echoed 
this sentiment, concisely stating, ``All that I am or ever hope to be, 
I owe to my angel mother.''
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1295.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the 
actions of the House of Representatives in recognizing the role of 
mothers. I strongly support H. Res. 1295, which recognizes the 
significant contributions of mothers in building strong families and 
communities across the nation.
  Madam Speaker, as we quickly approach Mother's Day this Sunday, let 
us recognize the tireless efforts and contributions to society, the 
personal sacrifices made, and the wise guidance that mothers provide 
everyday. The creation of Anna Jarvis, first observed on May 10, 1908, 
Mother's Day serves as a day of remembrance and reflection on the 
unyielding love and affection that mothers provide, reminding us that 
no matter the distance between mother and child, the maternal bond can 
never be broken.
  Madam Speaker, Harry Truman once said ``no one in the world can take 
the place of your mother. Right or wrong, from her viewpoint you are 
always right. She may scold you for little things, but never for the 
big ones.'' Mothers play a central role in the development of our 
children, raising them with values and morals, inspiring and 
encouraging them to reach for their dreams. No one among us would be 
where we are without the influence and encouragement of our mothers. 
Although there is no salary or compensation for the efforts of mothers, 
their words, actions, wisdom, and love are priceless.
  One of my favorite quotes about mothers states ``Most of all the 
other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and 
hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and 
sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends--but only one mother 
in the whole world.''
  I would also like to take a chance to recognize two of the mothers in 
my life, my mother, Mrs. Christine Callier, the woman who shaped every 
facet of my being as a child, and my wife Mereda, who is the light of 
my life. I am blessed to have two beautiful, strong and intelligent 
women to walk through life with.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution which celebrates 
the most important profession in the world: motherhood.
  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

[[Page 7151]]

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.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. I urge the passage of this resolution, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, in closing, I just want to thank the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) for his foresight and for 
proposing this resolution. In closing, I want to wish all the moms in 
Massachusetts and across America a happy Mother's Day, including my own 
mom and my mother-in-law and my wife.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1295.
  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. LYNCH. Madam 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.

                          ____________________