On September 15, the House Government Reform Committee approved, by voice vote, a resolution (H. J. Res. 61) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is celebrated on September 25, 2005. Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) sponsored the resolution.
According to H. J. Res. 61, “The American Gold Star Mothers have suffered the supreme sacrifice of motherhood by losing sons and daughters who served in the Armed Forces, and thus perpetuate the memory of all whose lives were sacrificed in our wars.” Noting that American Gold Star Mothers assist veterans in filing claims and care for servicemen and women who have been wounded, the resolution states that these services “have strengthened and inspired our Nation throughout our history.” Finally, the resolution states that “by doing so much for the home, the American mother is a source of moral and spiritual guidance for the people of the United States and thus acts as a positive force to promote good government and peace among all mankind.”
In a press release announcing his introduction of H. J. Res. 61, Rep. Gutknecht stated, “This resolution is an effort to tell our Gold Star Mothers that we stand with them during the most difficult of times,” adding, “Nothing a Member of Congress can say will salve the wounds that will never heal. The best we can say is that we’ll never forget. We’ll never forget the sacrifices made by brave Americans in uniform and their families.”
