[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 718 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 718

      Recognizing September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2009

    Ms. Matsui (for herself and Mr. King of New York) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Recognizing September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, terrorists ruthlessly attacked the United States 
        leading to the tragic deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent 
        United States citizens and other citizens from more than 90 different 
        countries and territories;
Whereas in response to the attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and 
        Shanksville, Pennsylvania, firefighters, police officers, emergency 
        medical technicians, physicians, nurses, military personnel, and other 
        first responders immediately and without concern for their own well-
        being rose to service, in a heroic attempt to protect the lives of those 
        still at risk, consequently saving thousands of men and women;
Whereas in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery workers 
        including trades personnel, iron workers, equipment operators, and many 
        others, joined with firemen, police officers, and military personnel to 
        help to search for and recover victims lost in the terrorist attacks;
Whereas in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of 
        people in the United States and others spontaneously volunteered to help 
        support the rescue and recovery efforts, braving both physical and 
        emotional hardship;
Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, and volunteers, as 
        well as survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, continue to suffer from 
        serious medical illnesses and emotional distress related to the physical 
        and mental trauma of the 9/11 tragedy;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of brave men and women continue to serve every 
        day, having answered the call to duty as members of our nation's armed 
        forces, with thousands having given their lives, or been injured to 
        defend our nation's security and prevent future terrorist attacks;
Whereas the entire nation witnessed and shared in the tragedy of 9/11 and in the 
        immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks became unified under a 
        remarkable spirit of service and compassion that inspired and helped 
        heal the nation;
Whereas in the years immediately following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the 
        U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics documented a marked increase in 
        volunteerism among citizens in the United States;
Whereas families of 9/11 victims, survivors, first responders, rescue and 
        recovery workers, and volunteers called for Congress to pass legislation 
        to formally authorize the establishment of September 11 as an annually 
        recognized ``National Day of Service and Remembrance'', and for the 
        President of the United States to proclaim the day as such;
Whereas in 2004, Congress unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 473, expressing the 
        sense of Congress that it is appropriate to observe the anniversary of 
        the September 11, 2001, attacks with voluntary acts of service and 
        compassion;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of people in the United States from all 50 States, 
        as well as others who live in 170 different countries already observe 
        the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks each year by 
        personally engaging in service, good deeds, and other charitable acts; 
        and
Whereas, on March 31, 2009, Congress passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America 
        Act, which included for the first time authorization and Federal 
        recognition of September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and 
        Remembrance'', a bill signed into law on April 21, 2009, by President 
        Barack Obama: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls upon all people in the United States to annually 
        observe a ``National Day of Service and Remembrance'', with 
        appropriate and personal expressions of reflection, including 
        performing good deeds, attending memorial and remembrance 
        services, and voluntarily engaging in community service or 
        other charitable activities of their own choosing in honor of 
        those who lost their lives or were injured in the September 11, 
        2001, attacks, in tribute to those who rose to come to the aid 
        of those in need, and in defense of our Nation; and
            (2) urges all people in the United States to continue to 
        live their lives throughout the year with the same spirit of 
        unity, service, and compassion that was exhibited throughout 
        the Nation following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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