WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton made the following statement today in recognition of Gold Star Mother’s Day, which honors mothers who have lost sons and daughters in service to our country.

“My thoughts and prayers this Sunday are with all those mothers who have lost sons and daughters in service to our nation. Today is Gold Star Mother’s Day, when we pay special tribute to the families of the fallen and the terrible sacrifices they have made on our behalf. We can never replace what these mothers have lost or repay them for having placed what President Lincoln called ‘so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.’ We can never do enough, but we can do something. That is why I have introduced my Gold Star Parents Annuity Act in each of the last three Congresses, to create a special monthly pension for parents whose children lost their lives serving during a time of war. Today I hope all Americans join me in honoring these brave parents and all those who have lost loved ones in the service of our country.”

Senator Clinton’s Gold Star Parents Annuity Act establishes a special monthly pension of $125 for Gold Star parents - surviving mothers and fathers whose sons or daughters lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during a period of war. Under Senator Clinton's bill, the monthly stipend would be for life and would be in addition to any other pension or benefit to which they may be entitled.

In 2003, legislation initiated by Senator Clinton, along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, was approved by the Senate that would allow a veteran's widow who receives survivor benefits, to keep her benefits if she remarries after the age of 57. Previously, surviving spouses who remarried were not allowed to receive these benefits. In recognition of Senator Clinton's introduction of this bill, Senator Clinton was honored by the Gold Star Wives with a "National Appreciation Award" in May 2006. Senator Clinton is also an original co-sponsor of a Senate resolution introduced by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day, approved by the Senate last Congress. Gold Star Mothers Day takes place each year on September 25.

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