Sen. Charles Schumer (NY) Successfully Secures Inclusion of 9/11 Day of Service in Kennedy-Hatch “ServeAmerica” Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed historic national service legislation (GIVE Act H.R. 1388) which incorporates a key provision that for the first time would formally authorize federal support for establishing the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY-3), along with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (d-NY), worked closely with GIVE Act sponsors U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY -04) and U.S. Rep. George Miller (CA-07) to develop the 9/11-related language for the bill.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) successfully secured inclusion of a similar provision in the Senate’s companion ServeAmerica bill.
“Establishing 9/11 as a national day of service would ensure that the lives of those lost are forever remembered by millions of people for generations to come in a constructive and compassionate way,” said David Paine, president and founder of MyGoodDeed.org, the 9/11 nonprofit initiative created with widespread support from the 9/11 family community to establish September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
“I have been active in seeking a service day for years,” said Rep. King. “America came together in the aftermath of 9/11, reminding us what it truly means to be part of this great nation. By making 9/11 a national day of service, that same spirit of giving will continue in a day of remembrance, unity and selflessness.”
“I could not be more proud to work to pass this important provision,” said Senator Schumer in a press release (http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/record.cfm?id=309892.) “September 11 should not only be a day for mourning - it should be a day to think about our neighbors, our community, and our country. We can take a tragic day in our nation’s history and turn it into a force for good.“
Under the GIVE Act, the anniversary of 9/11 would be observed in ways similar to Martin Luther King Day. People would voluntarily engage in remembrance through acts of good deeds, personal and organized service activities, and reflection. However, the anniversary of 9/11 would intentionally not be a federal holiday.
”Federal legislation establishing 9/11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance - which we hope would also be actively supported by President Obama - would truly help energize volunteerism in America, while also bringing a sense of healing to one of the worst human tragedies in U.S. history,” said Jay S. Winuk, co-founder and vice president of MyGoodDeed.org, and brother of attorney and 9/11 rescuer Glenn J. Winuk, a firefighter/EMT who perished when the WTC’s South Tower collapsed.
MyGoodDeed.org, a 501c(3) charitable organization, has lead the seven-year effort to establish 9/11 as a national day of service. Each year MyGoodDeed.org organizes activities that encourage individuals and organizations to set aside time on the anniversary of 9/11 to perform simple good deeds and service that help others in need.
MyGoodDeed.org programs have been supported by generous contributions from American Express, Ambac Financial Corporation, the Jim Fassel Foundation, Keefe Bruyette and Woods, MBIA and Sony Corporation. Google, Yahoo, and AOL provide in-kind support in the form of free online public service announcements. Other in-kind assistance has been provided by the law firms of Holland & Knight LLP in New York and Nossaman LLP/O'Connor & Hannan LLP in Washington, D.C. Work in support of key 9/11 legislative objectives is provided by the 9/11 Day of Service Committee, a 501c(4) nonprofit organization.
For more information, contact David Paine, MyGoodDeed.org, at david.paine@MyGoodDeed.org, or 949-233-0050, or Susan Roth at prsue@rothpr.com, 301-530-3539 (office); 202-997-5672 (cell). Subscribe to Twitter updates at: www.twitter.com/MyGoodDeed, and follow MyGoodDeed.org on Facebook at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/87522/15257999?m=cc366e79.
Contacts:
MyGoodDeed.org
David Paine, 949-233-0050
david.paine@MyGoodDeed.org
or
Susan
Roth, 301-530-3539 (office); 202-997-5672 (cell)
prsue@rothpr.com