[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 334 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 334

  Recognizing September 11, 2023, as a ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 11, 2023

Mr. Coons submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing September 11, 2023, as a ``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 tradespeople, 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 many 
        having given their lives or suffered injury--

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

    (2) to prevent further terrorist attacks;

Whereas the people of the United States witnessed and endured the tragedy of 
        September 11, 2001, and in the immediate aftermath of the attacks came 
        together under a remarkable and inspiring spirit of unity, service, and 
        compassion;
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, with the support of members of the communities affected by the 
        attacks, Congress passed, and President Barack Obama signed, the 
        bipartisan Serve America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), 
        which--

    (1) established Federal recognition of September 11 as a ``National Day 
of Service and Remembrance'' (commonly referred to as ``9/11 Day'') as a 
way to annually and forever encourage all people of the United States to 
remember and pay tribute on the anniversary of the attacks through acts of 
service, including volunteerism, and to keep the promise to ``Never 
Forget''; and

    (2) charged the Corporation for National and Community Service 
(commonly known as ``AmeriCorps''), the Federal agency for community 
service and volunteerism, with leading the annual day of service; and

Whereas, since the establishment of September 11 as a National Day of Service 
        and Remembrance, millions of individuals in the United States have 
        observed that date by uniting together across differences and engaging 
        in a wide range of service activities and private forms of prayer and 
        remembrance: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes, commends, and honors the self-less 
        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, 2023, 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 engaging in volunteer 
        service or other charitable activities--
                    (A) in honor of the individuals who lost their 
                lives, were injured, or continue to be medically ill as 
                a result of the terrorist 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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