HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-139 RESOLUTION N0. 11-139
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 AS "ST. LUCIE COUNTY PUBLIC
SAFETY MEMORIAL WEEK" IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has
made the following determinations:
1. September 11, 2001, "The Day America Cried," began when four U.S.
commercial airliners were hijacked by nineteen Al-Qaeda terrorists.
2. At 8:46 a.m. that morning, American Airlines Flight 11, originating from
Boston, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight attendants, slammed into the
North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, killing all 92 individuals
aboard.
3. At 9:03 a.m. that same morning, United Airlines Flight 175, which also
originated from Boston, carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants,
crashed into the South Tower of the WTC, killing all 65 individuals aboard.
4. At 9:45 a.m. that same morning, American Airlines Flight 77, which
departed from Washington D.C., carrying 58 passengers, two pilots, and four flight
attendants, crashed into the Pentagon, killing 125 Pentagon workers and all 64
individuals aboard the plane.
5. At 10:10 a. m. that same morning, United Airlines Flight 93, which departed
from Newark, New Jersey, carrying 38 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants,
crashed into a wooded area of southwest Pennsylvania, killing all 45 individuals aboard.
6. By 10:30 a.m., both towers of the World Trade Center had collapsed in
cascades of dust and flame, killing 2,016 WTC employees from 115 different nations.
7. One of the flight attendants on United Airlines Flight 93 was Fort Pierce
resident, former police officer, and hometown hero, CeeCee Ross Lyles, who helped
prevent her aircraft from becoming another weapon of mass destruction and destroying
the White House or Capitol in Washington DC.
8. Hundreds of public safety personnel responded to the 9/11 World Trade
Center tragedy. In so doing, 343 Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) firefighters
and paramedics, 23 New York Police Department (NYPD) police officers and 37 Port
Authority officers were killed in the line of duty.
9. Many public safety personnel continued to suffer after 9/11. There were
661 retirements from FDNY in 2002, which was a 300% increase from the previous year
and 300 FDNY firefighters developed severe respiratory problems.
10. The firefighters, policemen, medical personnel, rescue workers, air flight
crews, Pentagon employees, and all individuals who helped others at the crash sites, and
those who helped to clean up in the aftermath of the 9/11 disaster, should always be
remembered for their truly heroic and selfless actions.
11. Apathy is the most dangerous enemy we face. The passage of years since
September 11, 2001 must not dull our awareness, but sharpen our resolve to be vigilant,
aware, and mindful of the sacrifices made, on a daily basis, by those who serve our
country in the armed forces and public safety arenas. Our strength as a nation lies in
each of us as individuals remembering the heroism of those who find themselves in the
middle of chaos, but put their own needs aside to help their fellow Americans. It is by
remembering their bravery, valor and sacrifice that we can continue to strengthen our
commitment to protect our freedom and keep our country safe and strong. September
11 gives us the opportunity to remember and renew those commitments.
12. St. Lucie County continues to do its part to keep the flame of remembrance
gleaming bright. On February 17, 2009, the U.S. Post Office at 1717 Orange Avenue, Fort
Pierce, was dedicated and named in memory of CeeCee Ross Lyles.
13. Further, Northport K-8 School, in Port St. Lucie, re-dedicated the Little
Lighthouse Library to children lost in the 9/11 tragedy and honored an American flag
dedicated to the school by Alexander Babington, a soldier who carried the flag into
battle in Iraq.
14. St. Lucie County firefighters, paramedics, and police officers continue to
remember their fallen comrades, who gave the last full measure of devotion that fateful
day.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida as follows:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim September 6, 2011, through September
11, 2011, as "ST. LUCIE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL WEEK" in St. Lucie County,
Florida.
2. This Board urges the citizens of St. Lucie County to recognize public safety
employees throughout St. Lucie County for the fine job they do in protecting the rights
of the citizens of St. Lucie County.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 6th day of September, 2011.
ATTEST: BOARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. CI COU , F RIDA
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
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COUNTY ATT R EY