18 December 2001
Public Law 107-89
107th Congress
Amending title 36, United States Code, to designate September 11 as Patriot Day.
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.''.
[[Page 115 STAT. 877]]
SEC. 2. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.
The table of contents for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``144. Patriot Day.''.
Approved December 18, 2001.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.J. Res. 71:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 147 (2001):
Oct. 25, considered and passed House.
Nov. 30, considered and passed Senate.