[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52773-52774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21253]



[[Page 52771]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 8286--Patriot Day


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 10, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 52773]]

                Proclamation 8286

                
Patriot Day, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                September 11, 2001, was etched into America's memory 
                when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled 
                in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory 
                of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our 
                thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the 
                heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their 
                lives so others might survive.

                Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by 
                terrorists to the safety of the American people and 
                worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists 
                abroad. We are confronting terrorism by advancing 
                freedom, liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to 
                the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation 
                pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform 
                serving around the world and the devoted members of our 
                law enforcement, public safety, and intelligence 
                communities at home who work night and day to protect 
                us from harm and preserve the freedom of this great 
                Nation.

                Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the 
                challenge, united in prayer, and responded with 
                extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their 
                lives for the country they loved. On Patriot Day, we 
                remember all those who were taken from us in an instant 
                and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more 
                hopeful world. We must not allow our resolve to be 
                weakened by the passage of time. We will meet the test 
                that history has given us and continue to fight to rid 
                the world of terrorism and promote liberty around the 
                globe.

                By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 
                (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated 
                September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 
                11, 2008, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of 
                the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
                as well as appropriate officials of all units of 
                government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-
                staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of 
                the United States to observe Patriot Day with 
                appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance 
                services, to display the flag at half-staff from their 
                homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence 
                beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor 
                the innocent Americans and people from around the world 
                who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist 
                attacks of September 11, 2001.

[[Page 52774]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E8-21253
Filed 9-9-08; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P