FW: [afalert] President Calls For National Day of Prayer
Posted by: rsssjm <rsssjm@...>
----- Original Message -----
From: AFA Action Alert
To: AFA Action Alert
Sent: 9/13/2001 3:19:46 PM
Subject: [afalert] President Calls For
National Day of Prayer
AFA Action Alert
American Family Association
Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, President
Tim Wildmon, Vice President
Buddy Smith, Editor
P.O. Drawer 2440
Tupelo, MS 38803
Phone (662) 844-5036
Fax (662) 842-7798
URL: http://www.afa.net
*************************
Please forward this Alert to a friend and encourage them to subscribe. To
Subscribe go to alerts.afa.net or
send e-mail to: afalert-join@lyris.afo.net NOTE: No
further information is required of you; simply send the email to the above
address and you will automatically be subscribed.
*************************
September 13, 2001
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE
TERRORIST
ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010913-7.html
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 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 more 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
# # #
News and Information on Attack Response -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/resources.html
Prepared Remarks
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Press Availability September 13, 2001
September 11, 2001 was a day of unspeakable violence and outrage, but
also a day of heroism and sacrifice. As endangered and terrified
men and
women struggled to make their way out of burning, collapsing
buildings,
firemen, police officers and emergency rescue personnel struggled to
make
their way in.
Many - we don't know how many yet - never made it out.
Even as we continue to hold out hope that more of these brave
Americans
will be found alive, it is my duty as Attorney General to begin the
process of providing relief to the families of public safety officers
who
sacrificed so that others might survive the attacks of September 11.
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976 provides for
approximately $150,000 in benefits to the families of law enforcement
officers, firemen, emergency response squad members and ambulance
crew
members who are killed in the line of duty.
This
morning, President Bush directed me immediately to
implement procedures streamlining the application and approval process
of
claims for benefits under this act.
Pursuant to the President's directive, the Department of Justice this
morning has taken the following actions to expedite the delivery of
benefits to public safety officers' families:
First, the existing regulations under the Public Safety Officers
Benefits
Act require that officers' families and employing agencies fill out
individual forms certifying that the officer was killed in the line
of
duty, that no disqualifying circumstances were present, and that the
officer was, in fact, related to the family members seeking benefits.
These regulations direct the Bureau of Justice Assistance to give
substantial weight to evidence presented by Federal, state and local
agencies and to resolve in favor of payment any reasonable doubt
concerning the circumstances of the officer's permanent disability or
death.
In view of the unprecedented loss of life and debilitating injuries
to
public safety officers, I have directed, pursuant to President Bush's
request, that this process be streamlined.
I am directing the Office of Justice Programs to exercise the full
scope
of its discretion under the statute and regulations to accept
applications, consider evidence justifying claims and to process
prompt
payment of benefits.
In cases in which benefits are sought by survivors of officers killed
in
the line of duty on September 11, I am directing
that blanket
certifications from executives of public safety agencies be considered
as
evidence of eligibility without requiring further individualized
documentation.
In addition, the family claim form will be abbreviated.
Second, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs is
immediately making available additional resources to see that the
claims
of fallen officers' families are processed as quickly as possible.
- Staff are being brought in to New York and elsewhere to assist with
case processing.
- A separate computer data base is being established to expedite and
monitor case processing.
- Lawyers from the Office of Justice Programs are immediately
reviewing
all cases from New York.
- Office of Justice Programs staff are also being sent to New
York to
assist with family contacts and the assembly of claim packages,
including
the gathering of pertinent records.
- Office of Justice Programs representatives will
be available
on-site, if requested, to pre-certify claim packages as
complete. These
representatives will also work with the Treasury Department to
expedite
payments to families once claims are approved.
The provision of benefits is an insufficient but necessary response
on
behalf of the American people to the unknown number of firemen, law
enforcement officers and medical rescue personnel who died answering
the
call of their fellow citizens on September 11.
It is President Bush's and my hope that the actions being announced
today
will provide a measure of relief to the husbands and wives and
children
left behind.
And I know that it is the nation's hope that this assistance will
stand
as a gesture of our inexpressible gratitude, as well as a small tribute
to
the honor of their sacrifice.
Today, I announced with the Treasury Department a step that has been
taken to provide additional security at airports across the country.
As airports re-open and resume air travel, there will be a
substantially
increased security presence on the ground at designated security
checkpoints throughout the country.
The Departments of Justice and Treasury have deployed hundreds of
agents
of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and U.S. Customs as
part
of a broad effort by federal law enforcement authorities to provide a
larger police presence at airports in addition to the heightened
security
procedures already put into effect.
We will take all necessary precautions to protect American travelers.
Lastly, our nation calls on us to be at our best in order to prevail
in
these very difficult times.
Since Tuesday the Justice Department has received reports of violence
and
threats of violence against Arab-Americans and other Americans of
Middle
Eastern and South Asian descents.
We must not descend to the level of those who perpetrated Tuesday's
violence by targeting individuals based on their race, their religion,
or
their national origin.
Such reports of violence and threats are in direct opposition to the
very
principles and laws of the United States and will not be tolerated.
I now have a few updates with regard to the ongoing investigation:
I. Legal attaches around the world are receiving enormous cooperation
from
law enforcement authorities in their host countries in the process of
following up on leads. We have also received numerous offers for
help
from other countries if needed. We are grateful for the
assistance being
offered.
I. With regard to federal law enforcement personnel
casualties. There is
one FBI agent assigned to the New York field office who is
missing. Three
U.S. Marshals who are assigned to the Southern District of New York
sustained minor injuries. We are also in the process of
collecting
information nationwide regarding loss of life and casualties
among law
enforcement personnel.
I. As of this morning the FBI's leads hotline has received 2,055
phone
calls. Some of the leads have been helpful to the
investigation. The
leads website has received more than 22,700 suggested tips.
I. The FBI is working over 3,000 leads.
I. None of the black boxes has been recovered yet, however we believe
retrieval of the
black box at the Somerset County is most feasible in the short term.
I. The total number of hijackers on the four planes that crashed was
at
least 18.
Now we will be happy to answer your questions.
Chris Huff
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-3465
(202) 514-2504 fax
---
To Subscribe send e-mail to: afalert-join@lyris.afo.net
NOTE: No further information is required of you; simply send the email to
the above address and you will automatically be subscribed.
---
You are currently subscribed to afalert as: rsssjm@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-afalert-41479L@lyris.afo.net
--- Roni Murphy