[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1186-E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE TOWN OF GRANITE FALLS NORTH CAROLINA JOINING THE NATIONAL MOMENT OF 
         REMEMBRANCE OF THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MARK MEADOWS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2016

  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the Town 
and Town Council of Granite Falls, North Carolina, to express their 
support of observance of the 15th Anniversary of September 11th.
  The Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls passed a resolution 
that affirms that, together as a Nation, ceasing all work or other 
activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time on September 11, 2016, in honor of the 15th anniversary 
of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on 
September 11, 2001.
  Nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks of 
September 11, 2001. Tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped 
the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to 
this tragedy, are forever changed. Countless fire departments, police 
departments, first responders, governmental officials, workers, 
emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and 
heroically to those horrific events.
  Fifteen years later, the people of the United States and people 
around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life 
on that fateful day; and, thousands of men and women in the United 
States Armed

[[Page E1187]]

Forces remain in harm's way defending the United States against those 
who seek to threaten the United States. On the 15th anniversary of this 
tragic day, the thoughts of the people of the United States are with 
all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001, and their 
families. September 11 will never, and should never, be just another 
day in the hearts and minds of all people of the United States.
  Therefore, the Town of Granite Falls would like to recognize the 
observance of this important anniversary and encourages the observance 
of the moment of remembrance marking the moment in an appropriate 
manner.
  I would like to submit a resolution passed by the Town of Granite 
Falls remembering the Anniversary of September 11th.

                               Resolution


 recognizing patriot day, the national day of service and remembrance, 
   and the national moment of remembrance of the 15th anniversary of 
                             september 11th

       Whereas, the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls 
     expresses their support of the citizens of the United States 
     coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other 
     activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 8:46 a.m. 
     Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2016, in honor of the 
     15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against 
     the United States on September 11, 2001; and
       Whereas, at 8:46 a.m., on September 11, 2001, hijacked 
     American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the upper portion of 
     the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, 
     New York; and
       Whereas, 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United 
     Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World 
     Trade Center; and
       Whereas, at 9:37 a.m., the west wall of the Pentagon was 
     hit by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, the impact of 
     which caused immediate and catastrophic damage to the 
     headquarters of the Department of Defense; and
       Whereas, at approximately 10:03 a.m., the passengers and 
     crew of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 acted heroically 
     to retake control of the airplane and thwart the taking of 
     additional American lives by crashing the airliner in 
     Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and, in doing so, gave their lives 
     to save countless others; and
       Whereas, nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the 
     heinous attacks of September 11, 2001; and
       Whereas, tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped 
     the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as 
     witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed; and
       Whereas, countless fire departments, police departments, 
     first responders, governmental officials, workers, emergency 
     medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and 
     heroically to those horrific events; and
       Whereas, the Fire Department of New York suffered 343 
     fatalities on September 11, 2001, the largest loss of life of 
     any emergency response agency in United States history; and
       Whereas, the Port Authority Police Department suffered 37 
     fatalities in the attacks, the largest loss of life of any 
     police force in United States history in a single day; and
       Whereas, the New York Police Department suffered 23 
     fatalities as a result of the terrorist attacks; and
       Whereas, the impact of that day on public health continues 
     through 2016, as nearly 90,000 people are at risk of or 
     suffering from negative health effects as a result of the 
     events of September 11, 2001, including 14,000 workers and 
     2,400 community residents who are sick, and tens of thousands 
     of others whose health is being monitored; and
       Whereas, 15 years later, the people of the United States 
     and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous 
     loss of innocent life on that fateful day; and
       Whereas, 15 years later, thousands of men and women in the 
     United States Armed Forces remain in harm's way defending the 
     United States against those who seek to threaten the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, on the 15th anniversary of this tragic day, the 
     thoughts of the people of the Town of Granite Falls are with 
     all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001 and 
     their families; and
       Whereas, the lives of Americans were changed forever on 
     September 11, 2001, when events threatened the American way 
     of life; and
       Whereas, September 11 will never, and should never, be just 
     another day in the hearts and minds of all people of the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved that the Town Council of the Town of Granite 
     Falls:
       (1) recognizes September 11, 2016, as a day of solemn 
     commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001, and a day 
     to come together as a Nation; and
       (2) offers its deepest and most sincere condolences to the 
     families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of 
     the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; and
       (3) honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of 
     first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local 
     officials, volunteers, and countless others who aided the 
     innocent victims of those attacks and, in doing so, bravely 
     risked and often gave their own lives; and
       (4) recognizes the valiant service, actions, and sacrifices 
     of United States personnel, including members of the United 
     States Armed Forces, the United States intelligence agencies, 
     the United States diplomatic service, homeland security and 
     law enforcement personnel, and their families, who have given 
     so much, including their lives and well-being, to support the 
     cause of freedom and defend the security of the United 
     States; and
       (5) reaffirms that the people of the Town of Granite Falls 
     will never forget the challenges our country endured on and 
     since September 11, 2001, and will work tirelessly to defeat 
     those who attacked the United States; and be it further
       Resolved that on the 15th anniversary of this tragic day in 
     United States history the Town Council of the Town of Granite 
     Falls requests that citizens observe a moment of remembrance 
     on September 11, 2016, and be it further
       Resolved that the Town Council of the Town of Granite Falls 
     requests the observance of the moment of remembrance to last 
     for 1 minute beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time by, 
     to the maximum extent practicable ceasing all work or other 
     activity; and marking the moment in an appropriate manner, 
     including by ringing bells, blowing whistles, or sounding 
     sirens.

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