COLUMBUS – Polk County approved a resolution this week in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Commissioners met Tuesday, Sept. 5 and approved a resolution that supports the United States Senate asking the nation to cease all work and other activities for a moment of remembrance on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

This year will be the 16^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. where almost 3,000 Americans died.

Following is the resolution commissioners approved:

WHEREAS, the Polk County Board of Commissioners is in support of the United States Senate regarding the coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2017, in honor of the 16^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, four civilian aircraft were hijacked on September 11, 2001, and deliberately crashed in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives; and

WHEREAS, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, government officials, civilian workers, emergency medical personnel and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to these horrific events, many suffering fatalities in their rescue efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Polk County Board of Commissioners does hereby salute the American citizens who responded to these tragic events with courage, selfless compassion, determination, and skill, both on September 11, 2001, and in the intervening years; and

WHEREAS, over a decade later the people of the United States and around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day, and their lives are forever changed as a result of this unprecedented threat to the American way of life; and

WHEREAS, on the 16^th anniversary of this tragic day, the citizens of Polk County join the Polk County Memorial VFW Post #9116 and the Auxiliary, their fellow Americans, and people around the world, in remembrance of the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and their thoughts are with the families and those left behind; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes September 11, 2017, as a day of solemn remembrance of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; honors the heroic service, actions and sacrifices of the first responders and countless others who bravely risked, and likewise often gave, their lives during the rescue efforts; and offers its deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.