III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 245 

Recognizing September 11 as a ‘‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 6, 2009 

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. CASEY, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. DODD, and Mr. LIEBERMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing September 11 as a ‘‘National Day of Service 

and Remembrance’’. 

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, terrorists ruthlessly attacked the United States, leading to the tragic deaths 

and injuries of thousands of innocent United States citizens and other citizens from more than 90 different 

countries and territories; 

Whereas in response to the attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, 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 


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•SRES 245 IS 

of those still at risk, consequently saving thousands of 

men and women; 

Whereas in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery workers, including trades personnel, 

iron workers, equipment operators, and many others, 

joined with firemen, police officers, and military personnel to help to search for and recover victims lost in 

the terrorist attacks; 

Whereas in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of people in the United States and others spontaneously volunteered to help support the rescue 

and recovery efforts, braving both physical and emotional 

hardship; 

Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, 

and volunteers, as well as survivors of the 9/11 terrorist 

attacks, continue to suffer from serious medical illnesses 

and emotional distress related to the physical and mental 

trauma of the 9/11 tragedy; 

Whereas hundreds of thousands of brave men and women 

continue to serve every day, having answered the call to 

duty as members of the United States Armed Forces, 

with thousands having given their lives or suffered injury 

to defend our Nation’s security and prevent future terrorist attacks; 

Whereas the entire Nation witnessed and shared in the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and in the immediate aftermath of the attacks became unified under a remarkable 

spirit of service and compassion that inspired and helped 

heal the Nation; 

Whereas in the years immediately following the attacks of 

September 11, 2001, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 


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•SRES 245 IS 

documented a marked increase in volunteerism among 

the people of the United States; 

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; 

Whereas, in 2004, Congress unanimously passed H. Con. 

Res. 473, expressing the sense of Congress that it is appropriate to observe the anniversary of the attacks of 

September 11, 2001, with voluntary acts of service and 

compassion; 

Whereas hundreds of thousands of people in the United 

States from all 50 States, as well as others who live in 

170 different countries, annually observe the anniversary 

of the attacks of September 11, 2001, by personally engaging in service, good deeds, and other charitable acts; 

and 

Whereas, on March 31, 2009, Congress passed the Edward 

M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which included for the 

first time 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: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) calls upon all people in the United States to 

3 annually observe a ‘‘National Day of Service and 

4 Remembrance’’, with appropriate and personal exVerDate Nov 24 2008 01:49 Aug 07, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR245.IS SR245

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1 pressions of reflection, including performing good 

2 deeds, attending memorial and remembrance serv3 ices, and voluntarily engaging in community service 

4 or other charitable activities of their own choosing in 

5 honor of those who lost their lives or were injured 

6 in the attacks of September 11, 2001, in tribute to 

7 those who rose to come to the aid of those in need, 

8 and in defense of our Nation; and 

9 (2) urges all people in the United States to con10 tinue to live their lives throughout the year with the 

11 same spirit of unity, service, and compassion that 

12 was exhibited throughout the Nation following the 

13 terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 

Æ 


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