National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for
the Victims Of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 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, 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 sense-less
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 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
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