HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 11-256 RESOLUTION NO. 11-256
WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of Beaumont, Texas expresses their
support of the United State's Senate regarding coming together as a Nation and ceasing
all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Daylight Time on September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist
attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001; and,
WHEREAS, at 8:46 a.m.,on September 11,2001,hijacked American Airlines Flight
11 crashed into the upper portion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New
York City, New York; and,
WHEREAS, 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United Airlines Flight 175
crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center; and,
WHEREAS, at 9:37 a.m., the west wall of the Pentagon was hit by hijacked
American Airlines Flight 77, the impact of which caused immediate and catastrophic
damage to the headquarters of the Department of Defense; and,
WHEREAS, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the passengers and crew of hijacked
United Airlines Flight 93 acted heroically to retake control of the airplane and thwart the
taking of additional American lives by crashing the airliner in Shanksville, Pennsylvania,
and, in doing so, gave their lives to save countless others; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks of
September 11, 2001; and,
WHEREAS, tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped the attacks at the
Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed;
and,
WHEREAS, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders,
governmental officials,workers,emergency medical personnel,and volunteers responded
immediately and heroically to those horrific events; and,
WHEREAS, the Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities on September
11, 2001, the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in United States
history; and,
WHEREAS, the Port Authority Police Department suffered 37 fatalities in the
attacks, the largest loss of life of any police force in United States history in a single day;
and,
WHEREAS, the New York Police Department suffered 23 fatalities as a result of
the terrorist attacks; and,
WHEREAS, the impact of that day on public health continues through 2011, as
nearly 90,000 people are at risk of or suffering from negative health effects as a result of
the events of September 11, 2001, including 14,000 workers and 2,400 community
residents who are sick,, and tens of thousands of others whose health is being monitored;
and,
WHEREAS, 10 years later, the people of the United States and people around the
world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day; and,
WHEREAS, 10 years later, thousands of men and women in the United States
Armed Forces remain in harm's way defending the United States against those who seek
to threaten the United States; and,
WHEREAS, on the 10th anniversary of this tragic day, the thoughts of the people
of the United States are with all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001 and
their families; and,
WHEREAS, the lives of Americans were changed forever on September 11, 2001,
when events threatened the American way of life; and,
WHEREAS, in 2009, Congress and the President joined together to designate
September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under the Serve America
Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460); and,
WHEREAS, in September 2009 and 2010, President Obama issued Proclamation
8413 (74 Fed. Reg. 47045) and Proclamation 8559 (75 Fed. Reg. 56463) proclaiming
September 11, 2009, and September 11, 2010, respectively, as Patriot Day and National
Day of Service and Remembrance; and,
WHEREAS, September 11 will never, and should never, be just another day in the
hearts and minds of all people of the United States;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the statements and findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby, in
all things, approved and adopted; and,
THAT the City of Beaumont, Texas recognizes September 11, 2011, as a day of
solemn commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001,and a day to come together
as a Nation; and,
THAT the City of Beaumont,Texas offers its deepest and most sincere condolences
to the families,friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks; and,
THAT the City of Beaumont,Texas honors the heroic service,actions,and sacrifices
of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and
countless others who aided the innocent victims of those attacks and, in doing so, bravely
risked and often gave their own lives; and,
THAT the City of Beaumont, Texas recognizes the valiant service, actions, and
sacrifices of United States personnel, including members of the United States Armed
Forces, the United States intelligence agencies, the United States diplomatic service,
homeland security and law enforcement personnel, and their families, who have given so
much, including their lives and well-being,to support the cause of freedom and defend the
security of the United States; and,
THAT the City of Beaumont, Texas reaffirms that the people of the United States
will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001,
and will work tirelessly to defeat those who attacked the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the governing body of the City of Beaumont,
Texas encourages the observance of the moment of remembrance to last for 1 minute
beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time by, to the maximum extent practicable
ceasing all work or other activity; and marking the moment in an appropriate manner,
including by ringing bells, blowing whistles, or sounding sirens.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 6th day of
September, 2011.
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