Res. No. 440 Title Resolution declaring September 11, 2002 a day of solemn remembrance. Body By Council Members Gerson, Baez, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, Fidler, Gennaro, Katz, Koppell, Nelson, Serrano and Weprin; also Council Members Lopez, McMahon, Monserrate, Provenzano, Quinn, Recchia, Sanders and Vann Whereas, On September 11, 2001, the people of the City of New York suffered the single most destructive day in its history with the attack upon and collapse of the Twin Towers and other buildings of the World Trade Center; and Whereas, Nearly three thousand people, including many among the City's emergency response forces, lost their lives, many were injured and thousands more were evacuated from schools, residences and commercial buildings; and Whereas, The attack evinced the absolute evil and cowardice of its perpetrators, but the response of New Yorkers, with their solidarity, mutual support, civic commitment, resilience, sensitivity and determination, manifested the best of the human spirit and the best values and virtues of our city and nation and continues to assure the triumph over evil of goodness; and Whereas, In the moments and days following the attack, our city witnessed and experienced an outpouring and heightening of civic commitment, mutual support, solidarity, individual sensitivity and community consciousness, marked by countless courageous acts of volunteerism in the rescue and recovery effort, lines of persons attempting to donate blood, and the extension of solace and support from neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, stranger to stranger, on the part of individuals from all over our city and region, each in their own way; and Whereas, In order to honor the memories of those who were lost and acknowledge the pain inflicted upon their families, friends, colleagues and all New Yorkers, to commemorate the exemplary strength, acts of heroism, unselfish civic commitment and emotional resolve displayed during that time of crisis and exalt the resilience of New Yorkers, September 11, 2002 should be a day of solemn remembrance; and Whereas, Our city should also remember the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center of 1993 and all terrorist attacks; and Whereas, Flags on all buildings and other structures owned or operated by or on behalf of the city of New York should be flown at half-staff in accordance with all other applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations; and Whereas, An official minute of silence will be observed at 8:46 A.M.; and Whereas, Schools will remain open on September 11th but time should be set aside for teachers or counselors to guide discussions about the events of September 11, 2001 that are appropriate for the age of the students; and Whereas, Many synagogues, churches, mosques, temples and other religious institutions have announced plans to host commemorative services in praise of the heroism and kindness displayed by many New Yorkers on September 11th and afterward, with their leaders guiding congregations in exploring the philosophical and emotional responses to these tragic events and reflecting upon their effects; and Whereas, Members of the New York City community should visit local fire and police stations to pay tribute to and express appreciation of the heroic efforts of our firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians; and Whereas, Civic associations should commemorate the events of September 11th by sponsoring gatherings for the sharing of ideas on reweaving the threads of commitment to a civil and tolerant society; and Whereas, Businesses and other private sector organizations should assist their workers in participating in the many activities occurring in the City on September 11th; and Whereas, The entire City should support members of the community of Lower Manhattan in the Ground Zero vicinity, who endured emotional and physical distress and upheaval, including children evacuated from schools as the towers fell, seniors evacuated from the area in the immediate aftermath, and residents denied access to or use of their homes, in their commitment to remain and rebuild; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares September 11, 2002 a day of solemn remembrance. H:/LS Requests/Gerson-Res -WTC Holiday 8/14/02 6:40 pm |1013|