Supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day.

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.

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.

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 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.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

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 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. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

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.

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. 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.