The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

May 5, 2008

Senator seeks commemorative coin for Mother’s Day

By Mannix Porterfield

A century ago, West Virginia’s own Anna Jarvis launched what has evolved into a national tradition to honor mothers.

Reflecting on the 100th observance of Mother’s Day, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., offered a bill Monday aimed at minting commemorative coins to recognize the role of women.

At the same time, Rockefeller said his legislation would help finance scientific research into cancer and brittle bone disease.

“What started out as a simple act on the streets of Grafton is now celebrated in every community across the nation, and quite a few countries around the globe,” he said.

“My wife Sharon will tell you that there’s no better gift on Mother’s Day than the one that comes from the heart. Giving these coins is a simple, heart-felt gesture that shows our mothers, grandmothers, daughters and nieces just how much we care and appreciate them.”

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., is an original co-sponsor of the Rockefeller legislation, which is a Senate companion bill to last year’s proposal by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

“Mothers make an incredible difference in the life of a child, and are an unending source of love, patience and understanding,” Rockefeller said. “I can think of no better way to honor them, along with West Virginia’s role in creating Mother’s Day, than through this tribute. People across the country can show their affection for the important women in their lives, and help them to advance crucial medical research, by purchasing this keepsake coin.”

Known as the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, the bill would require the Treasury Department to mint coins commemorating the centennial of the national observance.

In 1910, the state recognized the efforts two years earlier in Grafton to establish Mother’s Day. Within four years, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day.

Any money made from the proposed coins would help in the fight against breast cancer and osteoporosis by benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

Text Only
Local News
AP Video
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com