III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 334 

Recognizing September 11, 2023, as a ‘‘National Day of Service and 

Remembrance’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 

Mr. COONS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing September 11, 2023, as a ‘‘National Day of 

Service and Remembrance’’. 

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States endured 

violent terrorist attacks and events (referred to in this 

preamble as the ‘‘attacks’’) in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, leading to the 

tragic deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent 

United States citizens and others from more than 90 different countries and territories; 

Whereas, in response to the attacks, firefighters, uniformed 

officers, emergency medical technicians, physicians, 

nurses, military personnel, and other first responders immediately rose to service in the heroic attempt to save the 

lives of the individuals in danger; 


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•SRES 334 IS 

Whereas, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery workers, including tradespeople, iron 

workers, equipment operators, and many others, joined 

with uniformed officers and military personnel to help 

search for and recover victims lost in the attacks; 

Whereas, in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of individuals in the United States 

spontaneously volunteered to help support rescue and recovery efforts, braving both physical and emotional hardship; 

Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, 

volunteers, and survivors of the attacks continue to suffer 

from serious medical illnesses and emotional distress related to the physical and mental trauma of the attacks; 

Whereas hundreds of thousands of brave individuals continue 

to serve every day, answering the call to duty as members 

of the Armed Forces, with many having given their lives 

or suffered injury— 

(1) to defend the security of the United States; and 

(2) to prevent further terrorist attacks; 

Whereas the people of the United States witnessed and endured the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and in the immediate aftermath of the attacks came together under a 

remarkable and inspiring spirit of unity, service, and 

compassion; 

Whereas, in the years immediately following the attacks, 

there was a marked increase in volunteerism and national 

service among the people of the United States, which 

continues to this day; 

Whereas, in 2009, with the support of members of the communities affected by the attacks, Congress passed, and 


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•SRES 334 IS 

President Barack Obama signed, the bipartisan Serve 

America Act (Public Law 111–13; 123 Stat. 1460), 

which— 

(1) established Federal recognition of September 11 

as a ‘‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’’ (commonly referred to as ‘‘9/11 Day’’) as a way to annually 

and forever encourage all people of the United States to 

remember and pay tribute on the anniversary of the attacks through acts of service, including volunteerism, and 

to keep the promise to ‘‘Never Forget’’; and 

(2) charged the Corporation for National and Community Service (commonly known as ‘‘AmeriCorps’’), the 

Federal agency for community service and volunteerism, 

with leading the annual day of service; and 

Whereas, since the establishment of September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, millions of individuals in the United States have observed that date by 

uniting together across differences and engaging in a 

wide range of service activities and private forms of prayer and remembrance: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes, commends, and honors the self3 less dedication to fellow citizens displayed through 

4 the heroic actions of first responders and other citi5 zens in New York City, Washington, DC, and 

6 Shanksville, Pennsylvania; 

7 (2) calls on the Members of the Senate and the 

8 House of Representatives, and all people of the 

9 United States, to observe September 11, 2023, as a 

10 ‘‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’’, with 


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•SRES 334 IS 

1 appropriate and personal expressions of service and 

2 reflection, which may include performing good deeds, 

3 displaying the United States flag, participating in 

4 memorial and remembrance services, and engaging 

5 in volunteer service or other charitable activities— 

6 (A) in honor of the individuals who lost 

7 their lives, were injured, or continue to be medi8 cally ill as a result of the terrorist attacks of 

9 September 11, 2001; and 

10 (B) in tribute to the individuals who rose 

11 to service— 

12 (i) to come to the aid of those individ13 uals in need; and 

14 (ii) in defense of the United States; 

15 and 

16 (3) urges all people of the United States to con17 tinue to live their lives throughout the year with the 

18 same spirit of unity, service, and compassion that 

19 was exhibited throughout the United States fol20 lowing the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 

Æ 


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