[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56943-56944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23746]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 178 / Wednesday, September 14, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 56943]]


                Proclamation 8710 of September 9, 2011

                
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 
                11, 2001, the American people demonstrated that in 
                times of hardship, the values that define us do not 
                simply endure--they are stronger than ever. As a 
                Nation, we responded to unthinkable tragedy with an 
                outpouring of service and goodwill. On that dark day, 
                first responders rushed into a burning Pentagon and 
                climbed the stairs of smoking towers on the verge of 
                collapse, while citizens risked their own health and 
                safety to prevent further heartbreak and destruction. 
                As Americans, we came together to help our country 
                recover and rebuild.

                Today, we pay tribute to the selfless heroes and 
                innocent victims of September 11, 2001, and we reaffirm 
                the spirit of patriotism, service, and unity that we 
                felt in the days and months that followed. By 
                volunteering our time and unique skills, we can enrich 
                communities across our country, and together, we can 
                strengthen our Nation to meet the challenges of the 
                21st century.

                In the days to come, I ask all Americans to join 
                together in serving their communities and neighborhoods 
                in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks. 
                Today and throughout the year, scores of Americans 
                answer the call to make service a way of life--from 
                helping the homeless to teaching underserved students 
                to bringing relief to disaster zones. I encourage all 
                Americans to visit Serve.gov, or Servir.gov for Spanish 
                speakers, to learn more about service opportunities 
                across our country.

                As we join in serving causes greater than ourselves and 
                honoring those we lost, we are reminded of the ways 
                that the victims of 9/11 live on--in the people they 
                loved, the lives they touched, and the courageous acts 
                they inspired. On Patriot Day and National Day of 
                Service and Remembrance, we pledge to carry on their 
                legacy of courage and compassion, and to move forward 
                together as one people.

                By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 
                (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated 
                September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by 
                Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the 
                Congress has requested the observance of September 11 
                as an annually recognized ``National Day of Service and 
                Remembrance.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                11, 2011, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service 
                and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, 
                and instrumentalities of the United States to display 
                the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot 
                Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in 
                honor of the individuals who lost their lives on 
                September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the 
                United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 
                interested organizations and individuals to join in 
                this observance. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to participate in community service in honor of 
                those our Nation lost, to observe this

[[Page 56944]]

                day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, 
                including remembrance services, and to observe a moment 
                of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time 
                to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result 
                of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-23746
Filed 9-13-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P