S-3537.1  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8032

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senators Benton, Rasmussen, Roach, Oke, Fairley, Swecker, Gardner, Winsley, Prentice, Keiser, Franklin, Stevens, Hochstatter, Parlette, Long, Carlson, West, Deccio, Johnson and Snyder

Read first time 01/18/2002.  Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.

Requesting Patriot's Day to be moved and celebrated on September 11th.

    TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Throughout our history, America has seen many challenges to freedom and liberty; and

    WHEREAS, In response to those challenges, many heroes and patriots have emerged; and

    WHEREAS, Paul Revere bravely galloped through the night of April 18, 1775, to notify his township that the Red Coats were coming; and

    WHEREAS, Revere's actions prepared the town for success against Great Britain and its prime objective to still the voice of the people, disarm them, and make them more servile; and

    WHEREAS, Revere's actions gave our new nation a chance for freedom and liberty; and

    WHEREAS, The anniversary of the famous ride of Paul Revere is marked in history by Patriot's Day on April 19th; and

    WHEREAS, The tragic events of September 11th were without a doubt the most significant challenge of all to America's freedom and liberty; and

    WHEREAS, The brave and immediate actions of rescue workers saved many lives, and in so doing, compromised their own; and

    WHEREAS, The selfless actions of recovery workers, blood donors, and financial contributors in response to this tragedy exemplify our nation's solidarity and unity; and

    WHEREAS, The frequent and proud display of the American flag demonstrates the overwhelming strength our citizens have shown in response to the most recent challenge to American freedom and liberty; and

    WHEREAS, These responses have resulted in the emergence of a nation ripe with modern day heroes and patriots;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress and the President approve the resurrection of Patriot's Day to now be observed annually on September 11th;

    BE IT RESOLVED, That Patriot's Day never again be treated as a normal day, but as a day to reflect with family and coworkers on the challenges to our nation's freedom and liberty, and an opportunity to pay tribute to our nation's heroes and patriots, past and present; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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