[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 36 (Monday, September 8, 2003)]
[Pages 1149-1150]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7702--Patriot Day, 2003

 September 4, 2003

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Two years ago, more than 3,000 innocent people lost their lives when 
a calm September morning was shattered by terrorists driven by hatred 
and destruction.
    On that day, and in its aftermath, we saw the greatness of America 
in the bravery of victims; in the heroism of first responders who laid 
down their lives to save others; in the compassion of people who stepped 
forward to help those they had never met; and in the generosity of 
millions of Americans who enriched our country with acts of service and 
kindness. Since that day, we have seen the greatness of America further 
demonstrated in the courage of our brave men and women in uniform who 
have served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and around the world 
to advance freedom and prevent terrorist attacks on America.
    As we remember September 11, 2001, we reaffirm the vows made in the 
earliest hours of our grief and anger. As liberty's home and defender, 
America will not tire, will not falter, and will not fail in fighting 
for the safety and security of the American people and a world free from 
terrorism. We will continue to bring our enemies to justice or bring 
justice to them. This Patriot Day, we hold steady to this task.
    By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-
89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as ``Patriot 
Day.''
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2003, as Patriot Day. I 
call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services 
and candlelight vigils. I also call upon the Governors of the United 
States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate 
officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown 
at half-staff on Patriot Day. In addition, I call upon all Americans to 
display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to 
observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time 
to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the 
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and

[[Page 1150]]

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 8, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
September 9. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of the proclamation.