To commemorate Patriot Day, United States and Arkansas flags on the State Capitol Building and on all state-owned buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2013.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:
WHEREAS: On September 11, 2001, the peace of our nation was shattered when 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.; and
WHEREAS: The fourth hijacked aircraft crashed into the fields of southwestern Pennsylvania after passengers tried to regain control of the aircraft in order to prevent the hijackers from crashing the aircraft into another important symbol of democracy and freedom; and
WHEREAS: These attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist assaults ever launched against the United States, killing thousands of innocent people and striking a terrible blow to the hearts of all Americans; and
WHEREAS: In the aftermath of these horrific events, the people of the United States displayed a remarkable spirit of unity, compassion, and determination to rebuild and to remember those who died and those who worked so hard to rescue and recover the dead and the injured; and
WHEREAS: By Public Law 107-89, the Congress of the United States designated September 11 as “Patriot Day†in the United States;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE BEEBE, Governor of the State of Arkansas, urge all Arkansans to join me in observing Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the United States and Arkansas flags at half-staff from their homes on September 11, 2013, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 7:46 a.m. to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and
FURTHER, As a mark of respect for the victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and as an expression of public sorrow, I do hereby order that the Arkansas State flag on the Arkansas State Capitol and on all State-owned buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset, Wednesday, September 11, 2013.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 30th day of August, in the year of our Lord 2013.