Gilbert Gutknecht: “The American Gold Star Mothers Group was incorporated in 1929. On June 23 of 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt…”

“The American Gold Star Mothers Group was incorporated in 1929. On June 23 of 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day. To this very day, Madam Speaker, Gold Star Mothers Day is the last Sunday in September. Unfortunately, over the last several years Americans have forgotten about that. So at the request of some of my constituents, I introduced a resolution. It is being sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma encouraging all Americans to recognize this very important day. The Gold Star Mothers is a group that no one joins voluntarily. You must have lost a son or a daughter in combat to become a member of the Gold Star Mothers Association. This resolution is important, and we will vote on it tomorrow. I currently have over 200 co-sponsors, and I would encourage other Members to join. The dedications and triumphs of the Gold Star Mothers stem from a shared bond. As they describe it, and I close: ``The success of our organization continues because of the bond of mutual love, sympathy and support of the many loyal, capable and patriotic mothers who while sharing their grief and their pride have channeled their time, efforts and gifts into lessening the pain of others. We stand tall and proud by honoring our children, assisting our veterans, supporting our Nation and healing with each other.'' ____________________”