[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9015--SEPT. 10, 2013

Proclamation 9015 of September 10, 2013

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Twelve years ago this month, nearly three thousand innocent men, women,
and children lost their lives in attacks meant to terrorize our Nation.
They had been going about their day, harming no one, when sudden
violence struck. We will never undo the pain and injustice borne that
terrible morning, nor will we ever forget those we lost.
On September 11, 2001, amid shattered glass, twisted steel, and clouds
of dust, the spirit of America shone through. We remember the sacrifice
of strangers and first responders who rushed into darkness to carry
others from danger. We remember the unbreakable bonds of unity we felt
in the long days that followed--how we held each other, how we came to
our neighbors' aid, how we prayed for one another. We re-

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call how Americans of every station joined together to support the survivors in
their hour of need and to heal our Nation in the years that followed.
Today, we can honor those we lost by building a Nation worthy of their
memories. Let us also live up to the selfless example of the heroes who
gave of themselves in the face of such great evil. As we mark the
anniversary of September 11, I invite all Americans to observe a
National Day of Service and Remembrance by uniting in the same
extraordinary way we came together after the attacks. Like the Americans
who chose compassion when confronted with cruelty, we can show our love
for one another by devoting our time and talents to those in need. I
encourage all Americans to visit www.Serve.gov, or www.Servir.gov for
Spanish speakers, to find ways to get involved in their communities.
As we serve and remember, we reaffirm our ties to one another. On
September 11, 2001, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to,
or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American
family. May the same be said of us today, and always.
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, 2013, 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 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 tenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA