Governor Proclaims Sept. 11 as a Day of Service and Remembrance, Urges Citizens to Commit to Community Service
HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell has issued a proclamation designating Sept. 11 as a Day of Service and Remembrance and, following direction by President Obama, has ordered that all United States and Pennsylvania flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff in memory of the thousands of Americans who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
“In response to the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, military personnel, and other first responders immediately and without concern for their own well-being rose to service, in a heroic attempt to protect the lives of those still at risk, consequently saving thousands of men and women,” Rendell said.
“Hundreds of thousands of brave men and women continue to serve every day, having answered the call to duty as members of our nation’s armed forces with thousands having given their lives, or been injured to defend our nation’s security and prevent future terrorist attacks,” the Governor added.
The Governor also urged all citizens to commit to community service on this day of remembrance and every day.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The full text of Governor Rendell’s proclamation is below:
DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE
September 11, 2009
WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001 terrorists ruthlessly attacked the United States leading to the tragic death of thousands of innocent United States citizens and other citizens from more than 90 different countries and territories; and
WHEREAS, in response to the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians,physicians, nurses, military personnel, and other first responders immediately and without concern for their own well-being rose to service, in a heroic attempt to protect the lives of those still at risk, consequently saving thousands of men and women; and
WHEREAS, in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of people in the United States and other nations spontaneously volunteered to help support the rescue and recovery efforts, braving both physical and emotional hardship; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of brave men and women continue to serve every day, having answered the call to duty as members of our nation’s armed forces with thousands having given their lives, or been injured to defend our nation’s security and prevent future terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, the entire nation witnessed and shared in the tragedy of 9/11 and in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks became unified under a remarkable spirit of service and compassion that inspired and helped heal the nation; and
WHEREAS, in the years immediately following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics documented a marked increase in volunteerism among citizens in the United States; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States from all 50 states as well as others who live in 170 different countries already observe the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks each year by personally engaging in service, good deeds, and other charitable acts; and
WHEREAS, families of 9/11 victims, survivors, first responders, rescue and recovery workers, and volunteers called for Congress to pass legislation to formally authorize the establishment of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance,” and for the President of the United States to proclaim the day as such; and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2009, Congress passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which included for the first time the authorization and Federal recognition of September 11 as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance”, a bill signed into law on April 21, 2009, by President Barack Obama; and Congresswoman Matsui introduced a House resolution declaring September 11, 2009 a “National Day of Service and Remembrance”; and
WHEREAS, under the banner of United We Serve, the Corporation of National and Community Service, in conjunction with thousands of national and local service agencies and non-traditional partners, has created the website Serve.gov to make it easier to find volunteer opportunities on September 11 and throughout the year to promote impact-oriented service; and
WHEREAS, September 11, 2009 will mark the culmination of the summer phase of United We Serve, President Obama’s nationwide initiative to create a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to meet community needs and make service a way of life for all Americans, and also mark an opportunity for Americans to recommit to service.
THEREFORE, Be it resolved that I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009 as a DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE, and urge all citizens to commit to community service on this day and an ongoing basis.
GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this third day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Commonwealth, the two
hundred and thirty-fourth.