[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56943-56944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23746]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 178 / Wednesday, September 14, 2011 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 56943]]
Proclamation 8710 of September 9, 2011
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and
Remembrance, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, the American people demonstrated that in
times of hardship, the values that define us do not
simply endure--they are stronger than ever. As a
Nation, we responded to unthinkable tragedy with an
outpouring of service and goodwill. On that dark day,
first responders rushed into a burning Pentagon and
climbed the stairs of smoking towers on the verge of
collapse, while citizens risked their own health and
safety to prevent further heartbreak and destruction.
As Americans, we came together to help our country
recover and rebuild.
Today, we pay tribute to the selfless heroes and
innocent victims of September 11, 2001, and we reaffirm
the spirit of patriotism, service, and unity that we
felt in the days and months that followed. By
volunteering our time and unique skills, we can enrich
communities across our country, and together, we can
strengthen our Nation to meet the challenges of the
21st century.
In the days to come, I ask all Americans to join
together in serving their communities and neighborhoods
in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks.
Today and throughout the year, scores of Americans
answer the call to make service a way of life--from
helping the homeless to teaching underserved students
to bringing relief to disaster zones. I encourage all
Americans to visit Serve.gov, or Servir.gov for Spanish
speakers, to learn more about service opportunities
across our country.
As we join in serving causes greater than ourselves and
honoring those we lost, we are reminded of the ways
that the victims of 9/11 live on--in the people they
loved, the lives they touched, and the courageous acts
they inspired. On Patriot Day and National Day of
Service and Remembrance, we pledge to carry on their
legacy of courage and compassion, and to move forward
together as one people.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001
(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated
September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by
Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the
Congress has requested the observance of September 11
as an annually recognized ``National Day of Service and
Remembrance.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
11, 2011, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service
and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies,
and instrumentalities of the United States to display
the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot
Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in
honor of the individuals who lost their lives on
September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the
United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and
interested organizations and individuals to join in
this observance. I call upon the people of the United
States to participate in community service in honor of
those our Nation lost, to observe this
[[Page 56944]]
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,
including remembrance services, and to observe a moment
of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result
of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2011-23746
Filed 9-13-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P