    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
    [Pages 1308-1309]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7462--National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the
    Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001

     September 13, 2001

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America
    in a series of despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger
    jets, crashed two of them into the World Trade Center's twin towers, and
    a third into the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense at the
    Pentagon, causing great loss of life and tremendous damage. The fourth
    plane crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside, killing all on board but
    falling well short of its intended target apparently because of the
    heroic efforts of passengers on board. This carnage, which caused the
    collapse of both Trade Center towers and the destruction of part of the
    Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane passengers and thousands more on
    the ground.
        Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised
    and executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who
    helped or harbored the terrorists be punished--and punished severely.
    The enormity of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of
    the United States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those
    responsible for this evil, until justice is done.
        We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All
    our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of
    innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and
    encourage one another in hope and faith.
        Scripture says: ``Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be
    comforted.'' I call on every American family and the family of America
    to observe a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, honoring the memory
    of the thousands of victims of these brutal attacks and comforting those
    who lost loved ones. We will persevere through this national tragedy and
    personal loss. In time, we will find healing and recovery; and, in the
    face

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    of all this evil, we remain strong and united, ``one Nation under God.''
        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 14,
    2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the
    Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the
    United States and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and
    Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at
    that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage
    employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to
    attend the noontime services to pray for our land. I invite the people
    of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day
    of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    sixth.
                                                    George W. Bush

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 3:58 p.m., September
    13, 2001]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on
    September 14.