On September 21, the House approved, 419-0, a resolution (H. J. Res. 61) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is celebrated on September 25, 2005. The Senate approved an identical resolution (S. Res. 250) by unanimous consent on September 22. Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) sponsored the resolutions.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) explained that the Gold Star Mothers “is an organization of women whose sons and daughters gave their lives in the service of their country. It is a group no one wishes to be a member of, but as their children answered the call of duty, so do mothers who are left behind…The group of 25 mothers who [were] bonded by sacrifice and tragedy was formally established as Gold Star Mothers, Inc., on January 5, 1929. The Gold Star Mothers organization now consists of over 900 members. The organization assists veterans with benefit claims, families with funeral arrangements, and, of course, mothers with grief. The Gold Star Mothers are a true representation of the many levels of service and sacrifice that exists in the defense of our country. The Gold Star Mothers are a true testament to American patriotism and should be recognized for their sacrifice.”
Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) said that the women who formed the Gold Star Mothers “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.” He added, “In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a proclamation designating the fourth Sunday in September [as] Gold Star Mother Day, and, unfortunately, we as Americans began to forget that…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.”
