H. Res. 718 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 9, 2009. 

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 

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 
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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 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; 

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; 

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; 

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 September 11, 
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2001, attacks 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 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, 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 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) calls upon all people in the United States to annually observe a ‘‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’’, with appropriate and personal expressions of 

reflection, including performing good deeds, attending 

memorial and remembrance services, and voluntarily engaging in community service or other charitable activities of their own choosing in honor of those who lost 

their lives or were injured in the September 11, 2001, 

attacks, in tribute to those who rose to come to the aid 

of those in need, and in defense of our Nation; and 

(2) urges all people in the United States to continue 

to live their lives throughout the year with the same 

spirit of unity, service, and compassion that was exhib-
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ited throughout the Nation following the September 11, 

2001, terrorist attacks. 

Attest: 

Clerk.