[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 36 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Pages 1566-1567]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8046--National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2006

 September 5, 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 
from 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

[[Page 1567]]

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

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:40 a.m., September 
7, 2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 8.