Senator John Thune

Every day gives us a new opportunity to celebrate the loved ones in our lives, but Mother's Day is a special occasion. None of us would be here without our mothers, and their love and guidance stays with us throughout our lives, even if they are no longer with us. I am personally grateful for the two wonderful mothers in my life, my mom Pat and my wife Kimberley, the mother of our two beautiful daughters.

Mother's Day was first officially recognized in the state of West Virginia in 1910, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson recognized Mother's Day throughout the United States. To this day, we take the second Sunday in May to thank our mothers, grandmothers, and spouses for all they have done to make our lives special. We also take extra time to remember those mothers and grandmothers who have passed away.

In honor of the upcoming centennial of the 1910 West Virginia proclamation, I have joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in cosponsoring the Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation would authorize the Treasury Department to mint a commemorative coin recognizing mothers and Mother's Day, which would then be sold to the public. Proceeds from sales of the coins would be donated to organizations conducting breast cancer and osteoporosis research.

Mother's Day is special for all mothers and their children, but it is especially poignant for those mothers who are serving in the military or have sons and daughters who are serving overseas. I ask South Dakotans to keep those mothers, and their children, in their thoughts and prayers.

No matter how busy or hectic our lives may be, Mother's Day affords us an opportunity to go the extra step of showing the mothers in our lives just how important they are to us.