H. Res. 718 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
September 9, 2009. 
Whereas, on September 11, 2001, terrorists ruthlessly at-
tacked 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, Wash-
ington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, firefighters, 
police officers, emergency medical technicians, physicians, 
nurses, military personnel, and other first responders im-
mediately 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, thou-
sands of recovery workers including trades personnel, 
iron workers, equipment operators, and many others, 
joined with firemen, police officers, and military per-
sonnel to help to search for and recover victims lost in 
the terrorist attacks; 
Whereas in the days, weeks, and months following the at-
tacks, thousands of people in the United States and oth-
ers spontaneously volunteered to help support the rescue
•HRES 718 EH 
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 thou-
sands 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 trag-
edy of 9/11 and in the immediate aftermath of the Sep-
tember 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 es-
tablishment 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 appro-
priate to observe the anniversary of the September 11,
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2001, attacks with voluntary acts of service and compas-
sion; 
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 Sep-
tember 11 as a ‘‘National Day of Service and Remem-
brance’’, 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 an-
nually observe a ‘‘National Day of Service and Remem-
brance’’, with appropriate and personal expressions of 
reflection, including performing good deeds, attending 
memorial and remembrance services, and voluntarily en-
gaging in community service or other charitable activi-
ties 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.