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House Passes Legislation to Celebrate Mother’s Day

Commemorative Coin

On May 5, the House approved, by voice vote, H.R. 2421, the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act.

Sponsored by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the bill acknowledges Anna Jarvis’ role as the founder of Mother’s Day and directs the secretary of the Treasury Department to mint $1 coins in celebration of the “100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.”

The bill specifies that proceeds from the sale of the coins, which will be issued beginning in 2014, will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Mother’s Day Resolution

On May 6, the House also passed, 417-0, a resolution celebrating the role of mothers and supporting the goals of Mother’s Day (H. Res. 1295).

Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

  • The first official Mother’s Day was observed on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
  • In 1914, Congress passed a resolution designating the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day;
  • It is estimated that there are more than 82 million mothers in the United States;
  • Mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward building strong families, thriving communities, and ultimately a strong nation; and
  • The services rendered to the children of the United States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired the nation throughout its history.