Lois Capps: “I rise in honor of recognition of Mother's Day 2002 to honor mothers across the world and to honor the profession and…”

“I rise in honor of recognition of Mother's Day 2002 to honor mothers across the world and to honor the profession and the calling of mothering. I make these remarks today in memory of my own daughter, a wonderful mother to two little boys before she died 2 years ago, and in honor of their father, her husband, who is doing a fabulous job of parenting and mothering them. The second Sunday in May is an opportunity for each of us to reflect upon our own upbringing and to offer gratitude to the one who has nurtured us the most, and many of us know firsthand being a mother is much more than a biological process. Every day women who have never given birth become mothers to abandoned, separated or orphaned children. Last week, Save the Children unveiled their 'State of the World's Mother 2002' report. The report was assembled to assess the state of mothers and children in the volatile regions of war and conflict. The findings of this report are particularly pertinent given our Nation's war on terrorism. After 23 years of conflict, Afghanistan is slowly recovering with assistance from governments and humanitarian agencies such as Save the Children. Specifically, the report tells us that investing in mothers is one of the most effective ways to help post-conflict societies achieve reconciliation and move forward. Often after enduring years of destruction and chaos, women step up to play highly constructive roles as peacemakers and rebuilders.”