[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 639 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 639

  Recognizing September 11, 2021, as a ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 2021

Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. 
    Carson, Ms. Williams of Georgia, and Ms. Norton) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                               and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing September 11, 2021, as a ``National Day of Service and 
                             Remembrance''.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States endured a violent terrorist 
        attack leading to the tragic deaths and injuries of thousands of 
        innocent United States citizens and other citizens from more than 90 
        different nations and territories;
Whereas in response to the attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and 
        Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 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 people in danger;
Whereas in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery 
        workers, including trades personnel, 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 
        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, 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 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 Armed Forces, 
        with some having given their lives or suffered injury to defend the 
        security of the United States and prevent further terrorist attacks;
Whereas all people of the United States witnessed and endured 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 the people of the United States;
Whereas in the years immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, 
        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, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed the 
        bipartisan Serve America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460), which 
        established, at the request of the 9/11 community, Federal recognition 
        of September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and Remembrance'' and 
        charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading 
        this annual day of service;
Whereas since Congress and the President provided for Federal recognition of 
        September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and Remembrance'' (commonly 
        referred to as ``9/11 Day''), millions of people in the United States 
        observe the anniversary by engaging in a wide range of service 
        activities and private forms of prayer and remembrance; and
Whereas during the current COVID-19 national emergency, Americans have once 
        again rallied together to rise to the challenge by caring for the sick, 
        providing essential services, and volunteering in their communities: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes, commends, and honors the selfless 
        dedication to fellow citizens displayed through the heroic 
        actions of first responders and other citizens in New York, 
        Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania;
            (2) calls upon the Members of the Senate and the House of 
        Representatives and all people of the United States to observe 
        September 11, 2021, as a ``National Day of Service and 
        Remembrance'', with appropriate and personal expressions of 
        service and reflection, which can include performing good 
        deeds, displaying the United States flag, participating in 
        memorial and remembrance services, and safely engaging in 
        volunteer service or other charitable activities--
                    (A) in honor of the people who lost their lives or 
                were injured in the attacks of September 11, 2001; and
                    (B) in tribute to the people who rose to service--
                            (i) to come to the aid of the people in 
                        need; and
                            (ii) in defense of the United States; and
            (3) urges all people of the United States to continue to 
        live their lives throughout the year with the same spirit of 
        unity, service, and compassion that was exhibited throughout 
        the United States following the terrorist attacks of September 
        11, 2001.
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