National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
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 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 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