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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
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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