Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 Second District residents write to me about the issues pending before Congress, and I work hard to respond to each person as promptly and thoughtfully as possible.  On this "Letter of the Week" blog, I highlight constituent letters that are of general interest.  If you'd like to share your own views, please feel free to e-mail me at any time!

As your constituent and an advocate for women and families affected by breast cancer, I strongly urge you to support breast cancer research by cosponsoring and supporting the Mother's Day Centennial Coin Act (H.R. 2268). Half the proceeds from this coin will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer research funded by the organization - and half will go to the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research funded by the foundation.

In the United States, one woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes. As we approach Mother's Day, it is important to remember the pain and the uncertainty of this disease and how the loss of our  loved ones affects us all. I cannot think of a better way to honor those who have lost their lives than by working toward a world without breast cancer.

With this commemorative coin we have a unique opportunity tosupport life-saving research and work towards a day when there is a cure for breast cancer.

I thank you for your consideration and I hope that you will stand with me in supporting this important program that will help save lives. I look forward to hearing your reply.

Claudia from Lawrence, KS

Dear Claudia

Thank you for contacting my office about the Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2268).  As your representative, it is vital that I hear from you about the wide range of issues that matter to you and that affect us as Americans and Kansans.

I hope you’ll be pleased to know that I am a co-sponsor of the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act.  This legislation instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a limited edition $1 coin to celebrate Mother’s Day.  The purchase of the coin includes a $10 surcharge, the proceeds of which will be split between Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to fight breast cancer and the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
 
Mother’s Day was started by Anna Jarvis who, after her mother’s death, resolved to pay tribute to her mother, and mothers everywhere.  She is quoted as saying, “I hope that someone, sometime will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life.  She is entitled to it.”  She began to lobby for a day for mothers in 1907, and succeeded in 1914 when President Wilson signed into law a resolution that designated the second Sunday in May to be observed as Mother’s Day and encouraged all Americans to display the American flag at their homes as a public expression of the love and reverence for the mothers of our Nation.  While Anna Jarvis strongly objected to the commercialization of Mother’s Day, I am sure that she would find the spirit of this coin – to save women’s lives and improve quality of life – to be commendable. 

Thank you again for writing to my office.  I always say that democracy is a contact sport – your input is important part of that.  I hope you won’t hesitate to be in touch in the future.

Sincerely,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress