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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
WHEREAS, on this day at 8:46 a.m. in September of 2001, hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the upper portion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, New York; and
WHEREAS, 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center; and
WHEREAS, at 9:37 a.m., the west wall of the Pentagon was hit by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, the impact of which caused immediate and catastrophic damage to the headquarters of the Department of Defense; and
WHEREAS, at approximately 10 a.m., the passengers and crew of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 acted heroically to retake control of the airplane and thwart the taking of additional American lives by crashing the airliner in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and, in doing so, gave their lives to save countless others; and
WHEREAS, nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were killed in the heinous attacks of September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, tens of thousands of individuals narrowly escaped the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center and, as witnesses to this tragedy, are forever changed; and
WHEREAS, countless fire departments, police departments, first responders, government officials, workers, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers responded immediately and heroically to those horrific events; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities, the Port Authority Police Department suffered 37 fatalities, and the New York Police Department suffered 23 fatalities as a result of the terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, the impact of that day on public health continues through 2018, as nearly 90,000 people are at risk of or suffering from negative health effects as a result of the events of September 11, 2001, including 14,000 workers and 2,400 community residents who are sick, and tens of thousands of others whose health is being monitored; and
WHEREAS, 17 years later, the people of the United States and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day; and
WHEREAS, 17 years later, thousands of men and women in the United States Armed Forces remain in harm’s way defending the United States against those who seek to threaten the United States; and
WHEREAS, on the 17th anniversary of this tragic day, the thoughts of the people of the United States are with all of the victims of the events of September 11, 2001 and their families; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Congress and the President joined together to designate September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under the Serve America Act (Public Law 111-13; 123 Stat. 1460); and
WHEREAS, September 11th will never, and should never, be just another day in the hearts and minds of all people of the United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and Cook County Board of Commissioners offers its deepest and most sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and countless others who aided the innocent victims of those attacks and, in doing so, bravely risked and often gave their own lives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board recognizes the valiant service, actions, and sacrifices of United States personnel, including members of the United States Armed Forces, the United States intelligence agencies, the United States diplomatic service, homeland security and law enforcement personnel, and their families, who have given so much, including their lives and well-being, to support the cause of freedom and defend the security of the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board President and the Cook County Board reaffirms that the people of the United States will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since September 11, 2001, and will work tirelessly to defeat those who attacked the United States.
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