Supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I, too, applaud Peter Roskam of Illinois for his introduction of this resolution. He had every intention of being here, but unfortunately he missed his plane, so he is not able to make it at this time.

During World War I, Grace Seibold's son, George, served with the British Royal Flying Corps in France. While on combat duty, he regularly sent letters home to his family in Washington, D.C. Around Christmas of 1918, the letters stopped and the Seibold family never heard from him again. Because his military unit was under British control, the U.S. had no information of his whereabouts or safety. After months of waiting, they received notice of his death.

Throughout the war, Grace Seibold had been spending her time visiting with soldiers in military hospitals and providing solace and assistance with their recuperation. After her own son's death, she met with fellow mothers of soldiers who had been killed serving their country.

The women began to share their grief and quickly found support for each other. Their uncommon bond brought them closer and helped them to heal. The group also encouraged community service by volunteering at local hospitals for veterans.

After years of careful planning, in June of 1928, 25 mothers joined in Washington, D.C. to form the American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated. The mission of the organization is to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to assist veterans with processing claims made to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The service provided by the Gold Star Mothers does not end there. They inspire patriotism and love of country. They promote peace and goodwill through annual special events. The Gold Star Mothers work in cooperation with all veterans organizations and lend their support giving many hours of volunteer work and personal service to veteran families. It is an organization that inspires community service, honor of country, and takes great pride in having our brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces.

I am proud to honor these brave women for their continued efforts and their tireless support of our Nation.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 605) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 605, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day.

H. Res. 605, which has 108 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Peter Roskam on August 1, 2007.

H. Res. 605 was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007 by voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, Gold Star Mothers Day is an organization for mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to our country. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day to recognize and commemorate the tremendous sacrifice these courageous mothers have endured on behalf of our Nation. This wonderful group of women have turned their personal tragedy into patriotism and public service.

Today, numerous chapters of Gold Star Mothers across our Nation offer important programs and services to improve the lives of veterans and their families. They assist veterans of the Armed Forces and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I support the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day. And I have the utmost respect for mothers and fathers that have sacrificed their sons and daughters for peace, freedom and the security of our Nation.

And so, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Peter Roskam, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I will close by simply stating that I have a very active, passionate and involved chapter of Gold Star Mothers in my congressional district. And so on behalf of them, and all of the Gold Star Mothers and Fathers throughout the country, I would urge passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of those American mothers who have lost children in the service of our country. As a cosponsor of H. Res. 605, I strongly support this resolution to recognize their great sacrifice and suffering.

The Gold Star Mothers Club was formed in the United States to provide support for mothers that lost sons or daughters in war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military. Living servicemen were represented by a blue star, and those who had lost their lives were represented by a gold star. Today, membership in the Gold Star Mothers is open to any American woman who has lost a son or daughter in service to the United States. On the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother's Day is observed in the U.S. in their honor.

American Gold Star Mothers is a nationwide organization first incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1929 after years of effort by the mother of a deceased airman fighting in World War I. In the years following, the organization has grown to include members and chapters across the country.

The responsibility of motherhood is vast and as our mothers raise their children, they do so with great hope. This hope does not involve losing a child to war but raising a son or daughter that strives to change the world for the better. This bill acknowledges that those mothers have succeeded in that goal and we, too, recognize the ultimate sacrifice their children have made. H. Res. 605 supports the Gold Star Mothers and ensures that their sacrifice and that of their children will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, again, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 605 and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Roskam for introducing H. Res. 605, in support of Gold Star Mothers. Gold Star Mothers is a tremendous organization that honors our nation's brave sons and daughters in the Armed Services that have made the ultimate sacrifice. Gold Star Mother's outreach and volunteer efforts help to bring comfort and solace to family members and loved ones during their time of need. My stepson Doug and his wife Lindsay continue to serve overseas in the Marines so I greatly appreciate the support and devotion the Gold Star Mothers have for our Armed Forces and Veterans. I am also proud to have Georgianna C. Krell, a past and future National President of Gold Star Mothers from my Congressional District. Georgianna's son PFC Bruce Carter was killed defending our nation on August 7th 1969 in Vietnam. Private Carter was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in battle. It is with great pleasure that I have been working with Georgianna to have our local VA hospital in Miami renamed after her son and I look forward to my continued relationship with Georgianna and Gold Star Mothers to honor our nation's heroes.