Tribute to Mother's Day

TRIBUTE TO MOTHER'S DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 11, 2006)

* Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, the world will celebrate a tradition born in Greece and celebrated around the world, Mother's Day.

* I know that my fellow mothers in this House look forward to a special day with family. I know that my male colleagues had better be planning a special time with their wives and mothers, as well.

* The birth of a child is a magical experience that changes a parent's life forever. Joy, laughter, some tears, and always love, are just part of the emotional rollercoaster ride we call parenthood.

* My little girl was recently married and one day, God willing, will enjoy the experience that I wouldn't trade for a subcommittee gavel on the Appropriations Committee.

* But giving birth in large parts of the world is very dangerous, even deadly. In some parts of the developing world, 1 of every 10 mothers giving birth gives her life in the process. Equally disturbing, 3 million brand new babies die in the first week of life due to inadequate healthcare.

* On this Mothers Day, let us celebrate our mothers. We can hardly repay them, but we can try at least for one day. But let us also pause to appreciate the struggle mothers thousands of miles away in places we will never visit. Let us rededicate ourselves to reach out to every human hand, no matter how small or how frail.

* On Sunday, please join me in honoring your mother and mothers everywhere across this small planet.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r109:./temp/~r109rLUjgY