Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding the Sixth Anniversary of September 11

Governor Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff on All State Buildings

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the sixth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and signed an Executive Order to lower flags to half-staff on all state buildings from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

“On the six-year anniversary of this tragic attack on American soil, Mary and I urge the people of Georgia to remember every one of the 2,973 lives that were taken on September 11, 2001. We remember that in our nation’s darkest hour, men and women of all races, religions and creeds came together to overcome an unspeakable tragedy and to show the world the resolve of our nation’s citizens. The courage shown by Americans, from ground zero to every city across the country, continues to inspire us as we move forward.

“Because of this tragedy, we have wept and mourned. The pain felt by victims’ families can never be erased, but the bond that they share with us can never be broken. We are one in our courage, our valor and our pride.  I encourage you to take time to remember those who were lost and to pray for those who are fighting to uphold the true meaning of what it is to be an American. May God bless the state of Georgia and the United States of America.”

The following is text of the Executive Order.

Whereas: Six years ago, on a beautiful, sunny morning, the citizens of our great nation watched in horror as two planes crashed into the World Trade Center Towers in New York City, another plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, and yet another plane crashed into the Pentagon; and

Whereas: We witnessed a great coming together of people from across this country who offered up their thoughts and prayers for all those firefighters, police officers, other public safety workers, and even those ordinary citizens who worked so heroically and diligently to save the lives of the innocent victims of the unspeakable acts of some cowardly terrorists; and

Whereas: As our country is still embroiled in efforts to curtail the possibilities of future attacks, we need to continue to pray for and support the men and women of our Armed Forces as they persist in their efforts to defend the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans; and

Whereas: To honor the memories of those who lost their lives and to commemorate this sad event in our nation’s history, by a joint resolution approved on December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the United States Congress has designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.”

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered: That the State of Georgia recognize September 11, 2007, as Patriot Day whereupon I join the President of the United States of America in calling upon all Georgians to display the American Flag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time 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.

It is further

Ordered: That on Patriot Day, September 11, 2007, the American Flag and the Flag of the Great State of Georgia shall be flown on all state buildings and grounds throughout the State of Georgia, at half-staff until sunset.

This 7th day of September, 2007.