On the recordMay 8, 2014
I rise today to introduce the Mother's Day Commemorative Coin Act. I am proud to be joined by Senator Manchin in this important effort. Mother's Day is a special event for all West Virginians because this annual tribute to mothers began in our state. In 1908, a West Virginia woman by the name of Anna Jarvis petitioned her local church to declare May 9th as Mother's Day. She hoped that this holiday would serve as a day to remember and honor our mothers, and to promote peace and understanding. Within a year, all 46 States celebrated Mother's Day in some fashion, and in 1914, Congress and the President declared the second Sunday of May ``Mother's Day.'' This May 9 will mark the centennial for the national recognition of Mother's Day, and this bill provides an opportunity to commemorate this important holiday and further recognize the millions of American mothers whose essential role in all of our lives canna be overstated. The legislation I am introducing today would recognize Mother's Day by authorizing the Treasury to mint a commemorative Mother's Day coin. Profits generated from the sale of these coins would be donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the National Osteoporosis Foundation. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has advanced cures for catastrophic pediatric diseases through research and treatment; and the National Osteoporosis Foundation is considered our Nation's leading voluntary health organization. In the U.S.…
