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On Tuesday morning,
September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America in a series of
despicable acts of war. They hijacked four passenger jets,
crashed two of them into the World Trade Centre's twin towers
and a third into the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of
Defence at the Pentagon, causing great loss of life and
tremendous damage. The fourth plane crashed in the Pennsylvania
countryside, killing all on board but falling well short of its
intended target apparently because of the heroic efforts of
passengers on board. This carnage, which caused the collapse of
both Trade Centre towers and the destruction of part of the
Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane passengers and thousands
more on the ground.
Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who
devised and executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands
that those who helped or harboured the terrorists be punished --
and punished severely. The enormity of their evil demands it. We
will use all the resources of the United States and our
cooperating friends and allies to pursue those responsible for
this evil, until justice is done.
We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss.
All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and sense-less
taking of innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the
strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.
Scripture says: "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be
comforted." I call on every American family and the family of
America to observe a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance,
honouring the memory of the thousands of victims of these brutal
attacks and comforting those who lost loved ones. We will
persevere through this national tragedy and personal loss. In
time, we will find healing and recovery; and, in the face of all
this evil, we remain strong and united, "one Nation under God."
Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by
the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer
and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on
September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the United States
and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and
Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of
bells at that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils.
I encourage employers to permit their workers time off during
the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our
land. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to
join us in these solemn observances.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth
day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-sixth. |
