It's Time to End Presidents' Day!

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland agrees. He has reintroduced the Washington-Lincoln Recognition Act, which would restore "Washington's Birthday" as the official (and exclusive) legal name of the February holiday and call on the President to annually recognize Lincoln's birthday as well, albeit not by a formal holiday.

Last year's version of the Washington-Lincoln Recognition Act (also introduced by Rep. Bartlett) drew less than a dozen co-sponsors and languished in committee until the 107th Congress adjourned.

The 108th Congress should not let this worthy bill die in committee again. The Washington-Lincoln Recognition Act should be passed immediately and sent to President Bush's desk for a signature.

Congress should also thoughtfully consider the failure of the Monday Holidays Act. While they will face stiff opposition from federal workers, the reason we have holidays isn't simply to give workers more time with their families. The main reason is to honor those our society has determined belong in the first-rank of our nation's line of heroes. Surely, George Washington has earned this. It is time we put him back in the place of honor he deserves. This is something previous generations of Americans understood.

Why can't we also?

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