THE WHITE HOUSE
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 Centers 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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