PRINTER'S NO. 3673
No. 481 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY PISTELLA, HERSHEY, MICHLOVIC, NAILOR, MAITLAND, SCHULER, JAMES, GEORGE, FICHTER, PIPPY, DENT, ROSS, FARGO, DONATUCCI, MILLER, DeLUCA, CLYMER, CAWLEY, MASLAND, BOSCOLA, WOJNAROSKI, SCHRODER, ORIE, BELARDI, HABAY, FLEAGLE, PRESTON, FAIRCHILD, MANDERINO, SATHER, SHANER, LEDERER, MARKOSEK, ROONEY, E. Z. TAYLOR, OLASZ, YEWCIC, TIGUE, JAROLIN, JOSEPHS, M. COHEN, SANTONI, STABACK, MARSICO, M. N. WRIGHT, BARD, SURRA, RUBLEY, GRUPPO, HENNESSEY, McILHATTAN, ARMSTRONG, HARHAI, HARHART, SEMMEL, BAKER, LEH, TRUE, STURLA, BELFANTI, SCRIMENTI, L. I. COHEN, HESS, C. WILLIAMS, TRAVAGLIO, BEBKO- JONES, ROHRER, EGOLF AND SAYLOR, JUNE 4, 1998
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 4, 1998
A RESOLUTION 1 Designating September 27, 1998, as "American Gold Star Mothers' 2 Day" in Pennsylvania. 3 WHEREAS, American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, a 4 nondenominational, nonprofit and nonpolitical organization was 5 incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on 6 January 5, 1929; and 7 WHEREAS, The original incorporators of the organization were 8 women who lost a son or daughter in World War I; and 9 WHEREAS, Eligibility for membership in the organization has 10 been subsequently expanded to include women who lost a son or 11 daughter in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam 12 Conflict or the Persian Gulf War; and 13 WHEREAS, The organization derives its name from the practice
1 of displaying a gold star, instead of traditional mourning 2 attire, during World War I by a mother whose son or daughter had 3 made the ultimate sacrifice for this country; and 4 WHEREAS, On June 12, 1984, the organization was granted a 5 Federal charter. The act that provided for the granting of the 6 charter, Public Law 98-314, declared the following to be the 7 objects and purposes of the American Gold Star Mothers, 8 Incorporated: 9 (1) To keep alive and develop the spirit that promoted 10 world services. 11 (2) To maintain the ties of fellowship born of that 12 service and to assist and further all patriotic work. 13 (3) To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the 14 community, State and Nation. 15 (4) To assist veterans of World War I, World War II, the 16 Korean Conflict, Vietnam and other strategic areas and their 17 dependents in the presentation of claims to the Veterans' 18 Administration and to aid in any way in their power the men 19 and women who served and died or were wounded or 20 incapacitated during hostilities. 21 (5) To perpetuate the memory of those whose lives were 22 sacrificed in our wars. 23 (6) To maintain true allegiance to the United States of 24 America. 25 (7) To inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of 26 country in the communities in which we live. 27 (8) To inspire respect for the Stars and Stripes in the 28 youth of America. 29 (9) To extend needful assistance to all Gold Star 30 Mothers and, when possible, to their descendants. 19980H0481R3673 - 2 -
1 (10) To promote peace and good will for the United 2 States and all other Nations; and 3 WHEREAS, Members of the organization contribute countless 4 hours of their time to provide volunteer services in hospitals 5 for veterans and to assist veterans and their families in the 6 community; and 7 WHEREAS, Under Federal law, the last Sunday in September has 8 been designated as "Gold Star Mothers' Day"; and 9 WHEREAS, The sacrifices and contributions of the members of 10 this exemplary organization merit further recognition; therefore 11 be it 12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate 13 September 27, 1998, as "American Gold Star Mothers' Day" in 14 Pennsylvania. E29L82DGS/19980H0481R3673 - 3 -