[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55219-55220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23302]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 55219]]
Proclamation 9319 of September 10, 2015
Patriot Day and National Day of Service and
Remembrance, 2015
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On September 11, 2001, America experienced the worst
terrorist attack in her history when nearly 3,000 men,
women, and children were taken from us, leaving their
families and our Nation with a void that can never be
filled. But those who brought hate to our shores and
smoke to our skies did not expect our country to emerge
stronger, and our beacons of hope and freedom to shine
brighter as a result. In the years since, we have stood
strong as one people--determined to further embolden
our country's character with acts of endurance and
strength; rebuilding and resilience; renewal and
progress. In remembrance of the innocent victims who
lost their lives and in honor of the families they left
behind, let us continue to answer these heinous acts by
serving our communities, lifting the lives of our
fellow citizens, and spreading the hope that others
tried to dim that day.
The compassion that rose in the hearts and minds of the
American people on September 11 still serves as the
ultimate rebuke to the evil of those who attacked us.
First responders who risked and gave their lives to
rescue others demonstrated the unwavering heroism that
defines our great Nation. Volunteers donated time,
money, and blood to ensure wounds gave way to healing
and recovery. Young people, raised until then in a time
of peace, stepped forward to serve and defend us, and
meet the threats of our time. And people from across
our country and the world joined together in the days
that followed to stand up and turn toward one another
with open arms, making of a tragedy something the
terrorists could never abide--a tribute of hope over
fear, and love over hate.
As we reflect on the lives we lost and pay tribute to
the families who still live with extraordinary pain,
let us resolve to continue embodying the American
spirit that no act of terror can ever extinguish. I
call on all Americans to observe this National Day of
Service and Remembrance with acts of selflessness and
charity. In doing so, we prove once again that the
power of those who seek to harm and to destroy is never
greater than our power to persevere and to build. I
encourage everyone to visit www.Serve.gov to learn of
the many opportunities available to give back to others
and to reaffirm the fundamental truth that we are our
brothers' and our sisters' keepers, and that we can
forge a brighter future together.
Today, we continue our unfaltering march forward,
enduring in the perennial optimism that drives us and
brightening the light that the darkness of evil can
never overcome. We remember and yearn for the presence
of the beautiful lives lost, and we recommit to
honoring their memories by shaping the days to come--in
as stark a contrast as possible to those who took them
from us--with courage, liberty, and love.
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.''
[[Page 55220]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim September
11, 2015, 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 its Territories 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 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
tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2015-23302
Filed 9-14-15; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5