Remembrance wreath displayed at Wednesday evening vigil, Downtown Campus
President Bush proclaims Friday as National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
(Sept. 14, 2001)--President Bush proclaimed Friday as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, and in keeping with his request, members of the Tri-Campus community are invited to observe a moment of silence and remembrance at noon on Friday.
State employees are encouraged to participate in Day of Prayer and Remembrance ceremonies. Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order "granting one hour of leave for state employees to attend ceremonies commemorating a national day of prayer and mourning on Sept. 14, 2001."
UTSA staff are entitled to take one hour of administrative leave to attend ceremonies, and this is not limited to the noon-hour program at the 1604 Campus University Center Retama Room. At the Downtown Campus, ceremonies will be at noon by the flagpoles at the Frio Street Building circle drive. At the Institute of Texan Cultures, they will be at 11:45 a.m. on the veranda near the south corner of the Mexican patio. For more information, call human resources at 458-4643 or 458-4252.
UTSA student leaders from the United Methodist Student Movement are sponsoring the Interfaith Service at noon Friday in the University Center Retama Room. All campus ministers are available for counsel during this difficult time. They can be reached at the University Center Student Organizations offices across from the bookstore.
Friday has also been designated U.S. Colors Day. Here at UTSA, many are planning to wear blue trousers or jeans and white and red shirts or blouses. The goal is to get the whole nation to participate, in memory of all those who perished and in solidarity as American citizens.
Approximately 50 students, faculty and staff gathered in the Downtown Campus Frio Street Building Commons area at 5 p.m. Wednesday for a vigil to remember victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Imelda Morales, Catholic Campus Ministeries, offered a prayer. Michelle Montanio, student leadership and cultural programs, read a poem. Each person in attendance received a U.S. flag, a black lapel ribbon and information on coping with the crisis.
Approximately 100 people attended a similar gathering at 5 p.m. at the 1604 Campus. Following the gathering at the University Center Free Speech Area, many of the participants went to the Convocation Center where people were waiting to donate blood. Vigil participants distributed black lapel ribbons to the blood donors.
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In part, President Bush's proclamation read:
"On Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America in a series of despicable acts of war... This carnage, which caused the collapse of both Trade Center towers and the destruction of part of the Pentagon, killed more than 250 airplane passengers and thousands more on the ground.
Civilized people around the world denounce the evildoers who devised and executed these terrible attacks. Justice demands that those who helped or harbored the terrorists be punished -- and punished severely. The enormity of their evil demands it. We will use all the resources of the United States and our cooperating friends and allies to pursue those responsible for this evil, until justice is done.
We mourn with those who have suffered great and disastrous loss. All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of innocent lives. We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.
Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, Sept. 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
I ask that the people of the United States and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our land. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances."
George W. Bush
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
President Bush proclaims Friday as National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
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community members donate blood to do their part
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