Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2016

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 63359-63360]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2016-22294]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 178 / Wednesday, September 14, 2016

/ Presidential Documents

[[Page 63359]]

Proclamation 9491 of September 9, 2016

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and

Remembrance, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Fifteen years ago, nearly 3,000 innocent lives--men,

women, and children who had been going about their

normal routines--were taken from us, depriving families

and loved ones of a lifetime of precious moments. But

the acts of terror of September 11, 2001, sought to do

more than hurt our people and bring down buildings:

They sought to break our spirit and destroy the

enduring values that unite us as Americans. In the

years that followed, our capacity to love and to hope

has guided us forward as we worked to rebuild, more

sound and resilient than ever before. With the hearts

of those we lost held faithfully in our memories, we

reaffirm the unwavering optimism and everlasting

strength that brought us together in our darkest hour,

and we resolve to give of ourselves in service to

others in that same spirit.

ild, more

sound and resilient than ever before. With the hearts

of those we lost held faithfully in our memories, we

reaffirm the unwavering optimism and everlasting

strength that brought us together in our darkest hour,

and we resolve to give of ourselves in service to

others in that same spirit.

The pain inflicted on our Nation on September 11 was

felt by people of every race, background, and faith.

Though many young Americans have grown up without

knowing firsthand the horrors of that day, their lives

have been shaped by it. They hear of the many acts of

service that occurred--coworkers who led others to

safety, passengers who stormed a cockpit, and first

responders who charged directly into the fire. Many

Americans did everything they could to help survivors,

from volunteering their time to donating food,

clothing, and blood. And many signed up to don our

Nation's uniform to prove to the world that no act of

terror could eclipse the strength or character of our

country.

United by a common creed, a commitment to lifting up

our neighbors, and a belief that we are stronger when

we stand by one another, we must find the courage to

carry forward the legacy of those who stepped up in our

time of need. By devoting ourselves to each other and

recognizing that we are a part of something bigger than

ourselves--just as heroic patriots did on September

11--we are paying tribute to their sacrifices

e stand by one another, we must find the courage to

carry forward the legacy of those who stepped up in our

time of need. By devoting ourselves to each other and

recognizing that we are a part of something bigger than

ourselves--just as heroic patriots did on September

11--we are paying tribute to their sacrifices. On this

National Day of Service and Remembrance, we must ensure

that darkness is no match for the light we shine by

engaging in acts of service and charity. I invite all

Americans to observe this day with compassionate and

selfless deeds that embody the values that define our

people, and to visit www.Serve.gov to find

opportunities to give back to their communities.

America endures in the tenacity of our survivors, and

in the dedication of those who keep us safe. Today, we

honor all who lost their lives in the heartbreaking

attacks of September 11, and all who made the ultimate

sacrifice for our country in the years that followed.

In memory of these beautiful souls, we vow to keep

moving forward. Let us have confidence in the values

that make us American, the liberties that make us a

beacon to the world, and the unity we sustain every

year on this anniversary. Above all, let us stand as

strong as ever before and recognize that together,

there is nothing we cannot overcome.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001

(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated

September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by

Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the

Congress has

[[Page 63360]]

fore and recognize that together,

there is nothing we cannot overcome.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001

(Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated

September 11 of each year as ``Patriot Day,'' and by

Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the

Congress has

[[Page 63360]]

requested the observance of September 11 as an annually

recognized ``National Day of Service and Remembrance.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United States of America, do hereby proclaim September

11, 2016, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service

and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies,

and instrumentalities of the United States to display

the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot

Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in

honor of the individuals who lost their lives on

September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the

United States and its Territories and interested

organizations and individuals to join in this

observance. I call upon the people of the United States

to participate in community service in honor of those

our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate

ceremonies and activities, including remembrance

services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning

at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the

innocent victims who perished as a result of the

terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

se

our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate

ceremonies and activities, including remembrance

services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning

at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the

innocent victims who perished as a result of the

terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two

thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United

States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

(Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-22294

Filed 9-13-16; 11:15 am]

Billing code 3295-F6-P