Last Thursday, the House of Representatives voted on House Resolution 1113, a resolution introduced by Nebraska Republican Jeff Fortenberry.  While most Republicans initially voted to pass this important resolution, they then moved to hold a revote.  At that time, 178 Republicans reversed their positions on this important issue to vote no.  One of these was my Mother’s representative in central Florida, Ginny Brown-Waite.  My own representative, Dean Heller (of Nevada’s second district) remained above the fray on this one and voted to support the resolution in both votes.

What was House resolution, and why did it garner broad support at first and then lose the support of almost all the Republicans in the house?  I’m including the entire text of the resolution below:

H. Res. 1113
May 7, 2008

Whereas Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of each May;

Whereas the first official Mother’s Day was observed on May 10, 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

Whereas 2008 is the 100th anniversary of the first official Mother’s Day observation;

Whereas in 1908, Elmer Burkett, a U.S. senator from Nebraska, proposed making Mother’s Day a national holiday;

Whereas in 1914, Congress passed a resolution designating the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day;

Whereas it is estimated that there are more than 82,000,000 mothers in the United States;

Whereas mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward building strong families, thriving communities, and ultimately a strong Nation;

Whereas the services rendered to the children of the United States by their mothers have strengthened and inspired the Nation throughout its history;

Whereas we honor ourselves and mothers in the United States when we revere and emphasize the importance of the role of the home and family as the true foundation of the Nation;

Whereas mothers continue to rise to the challenge of raising their families with love, understanding, and compassion, while overcoming the challenges of modern society; and

Whereas May 11, 2008 is recognized as Mother’s Day: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives celebrates the role of mothers in the United States and supports the goals and ideals of Mother’s Day.

Controversial legislation, I grant you.  Thank God the Republicans are protecting us from celebrating Mother’s Day and showing our appreciation to our mothers!

Happy Mother’s Day.

Sources:
Washington Post: Republicans Vote Against Moms; No Word Yet on Puppies, Kittens
Library of Congress: Thomas Guide