[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20980-20981]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 245--RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 11 AS A ``NATIONAL DAY OF 
                       SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE''

  Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Menendez, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Casey, Mr. Specter, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Lieberman) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 245

       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, D.C., 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 the United States Armed Forces, with thousands 
     having given their lives or suffered injury to defend our 
     Nation's security and prevent future terrorist attacks;
       Whereas the entire Nation witnessed and shared in 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 and helped heal the 
     Nation;
       Whereas in the years immediately following the attacks of 
     September 11, 2001, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
     documented a marked increase in volunteerism among the people 
     of 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 attacks of September 11, 
     2001, 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, annually observe the anniversary of the 
     attacks of September 11, 2001, 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 Senate--
       (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 attacks of 
     September 11, 2001, 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

[[Page 20981]]

     year with the same spirit of unity, service, and compassion 
     that was exhibited throughout the Nation following the 
     terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

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