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Home , September 11, September 12

Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 / Sept. 11 1301

Proclamation 7461—Honoring the and women, military and Federal workers, Victims of the Incidents on Tuesday, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. 11, 2001 Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by , 2001 evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into build- By the President of the ings, fires burning, huge structures col- of America lapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These A Proclamation acts of mass murder were intended to fright- As a mark of respect for those killed by en our Nation into chaos and retreat, but the heinous acts of violence perpetrated by they have failed. Our country is strong. faceless cowards upon the people and the A great people has been moved to defend freedom of the United States on Tuesday, a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the September 11, 2001, I hereby order, by the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they authority vested in me as President of the cannot touch the foundation of America. United States of America by the Constitution These acts shattered steel, but they cannot and the laws of the United States of America, dent the steel of American resolve. America that the flag of the United States shall be was targeted for attack because we’re the flown at half-staff at the and brightest beacon for freedom and oppor- upon all public buildings and grounds, at all tunity in the world. And no one will keep military posts and naval stations, and on all that light from shining. naval vessels of the Federal Government in Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst the District of Columbia and throughout the of human nature. And we responded with United States and its Territories and posses- the best of America, with the daring of our sions until sunset, Sunday, , rescueworkers, with the caring for strangers 2001. I also direct that the flag shall be flown and neighbors who came to give blood and at half-staff for the same length of time at help in any way they could. all United States embassies, legations, con- Immediately following the first attack, I sular offices, and other facilities abroad, in- implemented our Government’s emergency cluding all military facilities and naval vessels response plans. Our military is powerful, and and stations. it’s prepared. Our emergency teams are In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set working in New York City and Washington, my hand this eleventh day of September, in DC, to help with local rescue efforts. the year of our Lord two thousand one, and Our first priority is to get help to those of the Independence of the United States of who have been injured and to take every pre- America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. caution to protect our citizens at home and George W. Bush around the world from further attacks. The functions of our Government con- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, tinue without interruption. Federal agencies 8:45 a.m., , 2001] in Washington which had to be evacuated NOTE: This proclamation was published in the today are reopening for essential personnel Federal Register on . tonight and will be open for business tomor- row. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for Address to the Nation on the business, as well. Terrorist Attacks The search is underway for those who are September 11, 2001 behind these evil acts. I’ve directed the full resources of our intelligence and law en- Good evening. Today our fellow citizens, forcement communities to find those respon- our way of life, our very freedom came under sible and to bring them to justice. We will attack in a series of deliberate and deadly make no distinction between the terrorists terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes who committed these acts and those who or in their offices: secretaries, business men harbor them. 1302 Sept. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001

I appreciate so very much the Members to hide forever. This is an enemy that thinks of Congress who have joined me in strongly its harbors are safe, but they won’t be safe condemning these attacks. And on behalf of forever. the American people, I thank the many world This enemy attacked not just our people leaders who have called to offer their condo- but all freedom-loving people everywhere in lences and assistance. the world. The United States of America will America and our friends and allies join use all our resources to conquer this enemy. with all those who want peace and security We will rally the world. We will be patient; in the world, and we stand together to win we will be focused; and we will be steadfast the war against terrorism. Tonight I ask for in our determination. your prayers for all those who grieve, for the This battle will take time and resolve. But children whose worlds have been shattered, make no mistake about it: We will win. for all whose sense of safety and security has The Federal Government and all our agen- been threatened. And I pray they will be cies are conducting business, but it is not comforted by a power greater than any of business as usual. We are operating on us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: heightened security alert. America is going ‘‘Even though I walk through the valley of forward, and as we do so, we must remain the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You keenly aware of the threats to our country. are with me.’’ Those in authority should take appropriate This is a day when all Americans from precautions to protect our citizens. every walk of life unite in our resolve for jus- But we will not allow this enemy to win tice and peace. America has stood down en- the war by changing our way of life or re- emies before, and we will do so this time. stricting our freedoms. This morning I am None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we sending to Congress a request for emergency go forward to defend freedom and all that funding authority so that we are prepared to is good and just in our world. spend whatever it takes to rescue victims, to Thank you. Good night, and God bless help the citizens of New York City and Wash- America. ington, DC, respond to this tragedy, and to protect our national security. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:30 p.m. in the I want to thank the Members of Congress Oval Office at the White House. for their unity and support. America is united. The freedom-loving nations of the Remarks Following a Meeting With world stand by our side. This will be a monu- the National Security Team mental struggle of good versus evil, but good will prevail. , 2001 Thank you very much.

I have just completed a meeting with our NOTE: The President spoke at 10:53 a.m. in the national security team, and we have received Cabinet Room at the White House. the latest intelligence updates. The deliberate and deadly attacks which were carried out yesterday against our coun- Remarks While Touring Damage at try were more than acts of terror. They were in Arlington, Virginia acts of war. This will require our country to September 12, 2001 unite in steadfast determination and resolve. Freedom and democracy are under attack. The Secretary and I—first of all, I must The American people need to know we’re tell you I am overwhelmed by the devasta- facing a different enemy than we have ever tion. faced. This enemy hides in shadows and has I am so grateful for the people who are no regard for human life. This is an enemy working here. We’re here to say thanks to who preys on innocent and unsuspecting not only the workers on this site but the people, then runs for cover. But it won’t be workers who are doing the same work in New able to run for cover forever. This is an York City. I want to say thanks to the folks enemy that tries to hide, but it won’t be able who have given blood to the Red Cross. I