WHEREAS, On September 11th of this year, the nation will commemorate the 20th anniversary of America’s darkest day and in doing so, will honor the heroes and the casualties of this shocking, barbaric, and catastrophic act of inhumanity; and
WHEREAS, The 20th anniversary will serve to recall the uniting of the world’s cultures and nationalities in the condemnation of terrorism and the great outpouring of charity and compassion that followed the attacks on the World Trade Center, which demonstrated, once again, the victory of the human spirit over depravity, savagery, and cowardice; and
WHEREAS, Twenty years ago, on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four separate airline flights, carrying 266 people, all bound for California; and
WHEREAS, All four flights crashed with no survivors, and almost 3,000 men, women, and children who were citizens of more than 70 countries were killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, These horrendous crimes have inflicted great pain and suffering that will last for generations by claiming the lives of innocent men, women, and children; and
WHEREAS, Their families will never be able to feel the touch of a spouse or a partner lost, know the dreams of a child lost, or benefit from the wisdom of a parent or grandparent lost; and
WHEREAS, These acts of terrorism caused the destruction of the two prominent World Trade Center towers, nearby buildings, a portion of the Pentagon building, and four airline jets and the loss of innocent American lives and countless injuries to many others; and
WHEREAS, Over 400 public safety personnel gave their lives in response to those emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Twenty years after the attacks, Californians, Americans, and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that historic day; and
WHEREAS, These attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States and, by targeting the symbols of American strength and success, were intended to assail the principles, values, and freedoms of the United States and the American people, intimidate our nation and our state, and weaken its resolve; and
WHEREAS, The terrorists who hoped to bring Americans to their knees, instead, brought Americans to their feet. The terrorists’ hope to demoralize and intimidate Americans and undermine their way of life, instead, made Americans become more resolute in their commitment to cherish democratic and humanitarian principles that form the moral foundation of this nation; and
WHEREAS, This anniversary of tragedy is also an anniversary of triumph of character and courage over cowardice, kindness over cruelty, service over selfishness, responsibility over indifference, love over hate, hope over fear, and freedom over repression; and
WHEREAS, Californians join the American public in pouring out their hearts in grief and sympathy for the family and friends of those who perished or suffered injuries in the attacks; and
WHEREAS, The Assembly salutes and remembers the hundreds of heroic men and women of the police and fire departments, paramedics, and medical personnel who put their safety at risk and lost their lives or were seriously injured in their courageous efforts to protect and serve their fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Assembly is eternally grateful to the valiant men and women of our Armed Forces, those who have fallen, those who have been wounded, and those who continue to combat terrorism around the world; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting at this point in history for all Americans to remind themselves that the United States is a nation of healing, hope, and resilience; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly acknowledges the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly continues to recognize September 11th of each year as a day of remembrance and service and calls upon all Californians to participate in appropriate observances to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as a symbol of our love for them, their families, and our own communities, cities, and nation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly encourages Californians to honor the memory of those who died by observing September 11, 2021, by commemorating and celebrating acts of courage, compassion, loyalty, responsibility, and other qualities that represent the best in human nature and the American character; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and asks them to continue to stand with the United States against international terrorism; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly reaffirms that the American people will never forget the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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