[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 159 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5615-S5616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 44--RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 11, 2020, AS 
              ``NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE''

  Mr. SCHUMER (for Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Ms. Hassan, Mr. 
Jones, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Reed, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. King, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
Bennet, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Van 
Hollen, Mr. Carper, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Young, Ms. 
Collins, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Booker, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. 
Hawley, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
Schumer, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Hirono, 
Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Harris, Ms. Cortez Masto, and Mrs. Murray)) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 44

       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

[[Page S5616]]

     American tradition of individuals and communities coming 
     together to serve each other in times of need: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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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