Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four civilian
aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade
Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside
Washington, D.C.;
Whereas the fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in southwestern
Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take control of the aircraft
in order to prevent the hijackers from crashing the aircraft into an
important symbol of democracy and freedom;
Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever
launched against the United States, killing thousands of innocent
people; and
Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks the people of the United States
stood united in providing support for those in need: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AS PATRIOT DAY.
Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
``Sec. 144. Patriot Day
``(a) Designation.--September 11 is Patriot Day.
``(b) Proclamation.--The President is requested to issue each year a
proclamation calling on--
``(1) State and local governments and the people of the
United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs
and activities;
``(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of
the United States and interested organizations and individuals
to display the flag of the United States at halfstaff on Patriot
Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result
of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred
on September 11, 2001; and
``(3) the people of the United States to observe a moment of
silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost
their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the
United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.''.
