[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9319 of September 10, 2015

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On September 11, 2001, America experienced the worst terrorist attack in
her history when nearly 3,000 men, women, and children were taken from
us, leaving their families and our Nation with a void that can never be
filled. But those who brought hate to our shores and smoke to our skies
did not expect our country to emerge stronger, and our beacons of hope
and freedom to shine brighter as a result. In the years since, we have
stood strong as one people--determined to further embolden our country's
character with acts of endurance and strength; rebuilding and
resilience; renewal and progress. In remembrance of the innocent victims
who lost their lives and in honor of the families they left behind, let
us continue to answer these heinous acts by serving our communities,
lifting the lives of our fellow citizens, and spreading the hope that
others tried to dim that day.
The compassion that rose in the hearts and minds of the American people
on September 11 still serves as the ultimate rebuke to the evil of those
who attacked us. First responders who risked and gave their lives to
rescue others demonstrated the unwavering heroism that defines our great
Nation. Volunteers donated time, money, and blood to ensure wounds gave
way to healing and recovery. Young people, raised until then in a time
of peace, stepped forward to serve and defend us, and meet the threats
of our time. And people from across our country and the world joined
together in the days that followed to stand up and turn toward one
another with open arms, making of a tragedy something the terrorists
could never abide--a tribute of hope over fear, and love over hate.
As we reflect on the lives we lost and pay tribute to the families who
still live with extraordinary pain, let us resolve to continue embodying
the American spirit that no act of terror can ever extinguish. I call on
all Americans to observe this National Day of Service and Remembrance
with acts of selflessness and charity. In doing so, we prove once again
that the power of those who seek to harm and to destroy is never greater
than our power to persevere and to build. I encourage everyone to visit
www.Serve.gov to learn of the many opportunities available to give back
to others and to reaffirm the fundamental truth that we are our
brothers' and our sisters' keepers, and that we can forge a brighter
future together.
Today, we continue our unfaltering march forward, enduring in the
perennial optimism that drives us and brightening the light that the
darkness of evil can never overcome. We remember and yearn for the
presence of the beautiful lives lost, and we recommit to honoring their
memories by shaping the days to come--in as stark a contrast as possible
to those who took them from us--with courage, liberty, and love.
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 Con

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gress 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, 2015, 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
its Territories 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 fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA