[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8046--SEPT. 5, 2006
Proclamation 8046 of September 5, 2006
National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2006
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
This year, we mark the fifth anniversary of the brutal and ruthless
terrorist attacks carried out against our Nation on September 11, 2001.
We will always remember the thousands of lives lost, and the innocent
men, women, and children forever changed by those acts of evil. During
these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we honor the heroism of
the police officers, firefighters, rescue personnel, members of the
military, and private citizens who responded selflessly in the face of
terror. We also honor the courage and spirit of the mothers and fathers,
sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and wives who
continue to grieve for their irreplaceable loss.
As we pray for the families of the victims and reflect upon that
defining moment in our history, we are inspired by the knowledge that
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the pain and sorrow of that September morning rose a Nation united by
our love for freedom. We remember that we are a people determined to
defend our way of life and to care for our neighbors in need. The scenes
of distress and devastation we witnessed in the heart of New York City,
at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania were overcome by sacrifice,
bravery, and compassion. We resolved to answer history's call to bring
justice to our enemies and to ensure the survival and success of
liberty. Since that day, we have confronted a murderous ideology by
taking the fight to our adversaries and by spreading the universal hope
of freedom to millions around the world.
We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of the men and women of
our Armed Forces who are advancing liberty and protecting our country,
and we pray for their safety. We ask that God continue to comfort the
families of those who have lost their lives or who have been injured
while defending our freedom. We will succeed in this struggle against
evil, and the legacy of peace we leave behind will be the greatest
memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001, and all those who have
paid the ultimate price while wearing our Nation's uniform.
On these Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we mourn with those who still
mourn, and find comfort through faith. We give thanks to the Almighty
for our liberty, and we pray for His blessing on all those who were lost
and for strength in the work ahead. May God continue to watch over the
United States of America, and may His will guide us in the days to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 8,
through Sunday, September 10, 2006, as National Days of Prayer and
Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States and their places
of worship mark these National Days of Prayer and Remembrance with
memorial services, the ringing of bells, and evening candlelight
remembrance vigils. I also invite the people of the world to share in
these Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
GEORGE W. BUSH