Editor’s note: The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the following resolution on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in support of remembering the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, in recognition of the terrorist attack’s 10-year anniversary.
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 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sept. 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, four civilian aircraft were hijacked on Sept. 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 Sept. 11, 2001 and in the intervening ten years; and
WHEREAS, 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 10th anniversary of this tragic day, the citizens of Polk County join their fellow Americans, and people around the world, in remembrance of the victims of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and their thoughts are with the families and those left behind;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes Sept. 11, 2011, as a day of solemn remembrance of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 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 Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
ADOPTED this 6th day of September 2011.