NEW ULM — This weekend marks the end of daylight saving time in 48 states as clocks “fall back” at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 5.

The only places that don’t observe daylight savings time are most of Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The ritual means adding an extra hour of sleep, but some members of Congress prefer to stay on daylight saving time year-round, an idea that was unsuccessful in the past.

Last March, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act. While both major political parties supported the measure, it has been stalled in the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

“Americans want more sunshine and less depression,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

In late 1973, President Richard Nixon signed an emergency daylight saving time bill into law, reportedly in an attempt to cut energy demand by extending daylight hours and combat a national energy crisis.

The New York Times reported nearly 80% of people approved of year-round daylight saving time. Approval fell to 42% in early 1974 when parents became alarmed about traffic crashes and child safety because they were forced to go to school in winter darkness.

In October 1974, President Gerald Ford signed a bill to return to standard time for four months of the year.

Now daylight saving time proponents say adding evening daylight will lead to less crime, cut energy use and reduce health risks from the time change.

Local readers tend to be against daylight saving time.

“By the time you get used to it, it’s over again,” said Ralph Compart of Courtland.

Ruth Wellmann and Sarah Warmka of New Ulm said they like adding an hour of sleep in the fall but don’t enjoy losing an hour of sleep in the spring with a time change.

Dr. Ann Vogel of New Ulm sees both sides of the issue.

“From the farmer’s viewpoint, I totally get it. For simplicity and expeditiousness, we already live in a chaotic world,” said Vogel.