[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 115 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 115

   Recognizing September 11, 2020, as ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 11, 2020

 Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Ms. Norton, Mr. 
 Case, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. San Nicolas, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. 
    Higgins of New York, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Steube, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. 
 Moulton, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Waltz, Mr. Cole, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Wilson of 
Florida, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Wexton, and Ms. Castor of Florida) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                 the Committee on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing September 11, 2020, as ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States endured violent terrorist 
        attacks and events (referred to in this preamble as the ``attacks'') in 
        New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, leading to 
        the tragic deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent United States 
        citizens and others from more than 90 different countries and 
        territories;
Whereas, in response to the attacks, firefighters, uniformed officers, emergency 
        medical technicians, physicians, nurses, military personnel, and other 
        first responders immediately rose to service in the heroic attempt to 
        save the lives of the individuals in danger;
Whereas, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery 
        workers, including trades personnel, iron workers, equipment operators, 
        and many others, joined with uniformed officers and military personnel 
        to help search for and recover victims lost in the attacks;
Whereas, in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of 
        individuals in the United States spontaneously volunteered to help 
        support rescue and recovery efforts, braving both physical and emotional 
        hardship;
Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and 
        survivors of the attacks continue to suffer from serious medical 
        illnesses and emotional distress related to the physical and mental 
        trauma of the attacks;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of brave individuals continue to serve every day, 
        answering the call to duty as members of the Armed Forces, with some 
        having given their lives or suffered injury--

    (1) to defend the security of the United States; and

    (2) to prevent further terrorist attacks;

Whereas people of the United States witnessed and endured the tragedy of 
        September 11, 2001, and, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, 
        became unified under a remarkable spirit of service and compassion that 
        inspired the people of the United States;
Whereas, in the years immediately following the attacks, there was a marked 
        increase in volunteerism and national service among the people of the 
        United States, which continues to this day;
Whereas, in 2009, Congress passed, and President Barack Obama signed, the 
        bipartisan Serve America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), 
        which--

    (1) established, at the request of the 9/11 community, Federal 
recognition of September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and 
Remembrance'' (commonly referred to as ``9/11 Day''); and

    (2) charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with 
leading that annual day of service;

Whereas, during the period beginning on the date of establishment of September 
        11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, millions of individuals 
        in the United States observe that date by engaging in a wide range of 
        service activities and private forms of prayer and remembrance;
Whereas, during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national emergency--

    (1) Americans have once again rallied together to rise to the challenge 
by caring for the sick, providing essential services, and volunteering in 
their communities; and

    (2) there have been robust calls to strengthen, expand, and participate 
in all forms of national and community service; and

Whereas the trends described in the preceding clause are the continuation of an 
        American tradition of individuals and communities coming together to 
        serve each other in times of need: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes, commends, and honors the selfless 
        dedication to fellow citizens displayed through the heroic 
        actions of first responders and other citizens in New York 
        City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania;
            (2) calls on the Members of the Senate and the House of 
        Representatives, and all people of the United States, to 
        observe September 11, 2020, as a ``National Day of Service and 
        Remembrance'', with appropriate and personal expressions of 
        service and reflection, which may include performing good 
        deeds, displaying the United States flag, participating in 
        memorial and remembrance services, and safely engaging in 
        volunteer service or other charitable activities--
                    (A) in honor of the individuals who lost their 
                lives or were injured in the attacks of September 11, 
                2001; and
                    (B) in tribute to the individuals who rose to 
                service--
                            (i) to come to the aid of those individuals 
                        in need; and
                            (ii) in defense of the United States; and
            (3) urges all people of 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 United States following the terrorist attacks of September 
        11, 2001.
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