Declaring 9/11 as a Day of Service and Remembrance

A group called My Good Deed is at the forefront of a movement to have 9/11 declared an annual Day of Service and Remembrance. Who are they?

We are working to transform 9/11 into something positive -- a National Day of Service. With the help of more than 22 9/11 family groups, and other 9/11 leaders, we formed MyGoodDeed Inc in 2003, a nonprofit 501c3 group to help us raise money and spread the word about our initiative. Our mission, quite simply, is to establish 9/11 as an officially recognized National Day of Service, to honor the lives of the thousands who were killed and injured on 9/11, to pay tribute to the many who aided in the rescue and recovery efforts, and to rekindle the remarkable spirit of unity and service that existed in our nation in the days following 9/11. To us, it is the least we can all do. After all, something good needs to come from the events of that tragic day. And why should the terrorists get to define for us, and for all future generations, what 9/11 will be? We as Americans should determine for ourselves how we want to remember, and commemorate 9/11. (here)

Today from a 9/11 resource information group I belong to, came the following email:

IMPORTANT UPDATE: CONGRESS TO CONSIDER TRANSFORMING 9/11 INTO A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

The founders of MyGoodDeed.org along with other 9/11 leaders were in Washington DC last week meet with key legislators in support of the proposal to establish 9/11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the lives of 9/11 victims. Thanks to these efforts and others, we are more optimistic than ever that we have a historic opportunity right now to finally secure passage of long sought legislation that would establish 9/11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. (To learn more about this seven year quest, visit http://www.mygooddeed.org/OurRoots/About-Us/ )

We are at a critical stage in our lobbying effort, and the next two weeks are the most important!!!! You can help in the following ways:

1- CONTACT SENATOR SCHUMER'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. If you have a good contact with the Senator, now is a great time to use it. If not, then ask to speak with the legislative director in Washington. The general number of Senator Schumer's DC office is 202-224-6542. You can also call the main NYC office is: 212-486-4430 and ask to speak with the district office director. (1) EXPRESS YOUR SUPORT FOR ESTABLISHING 9/11 AS A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE. (2) SAY THAT YOU ARE CALLING TO URGE THE SENATOR TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT ASAP TO THE KENNEDY-HATCH SERVE AMERICA BILL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING 9/11 AS A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE. THIS BILL IS NOW IN COMMITTEE AND WE NEED THE SENATOR TO ACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You can mention that representatives of MyGoodDeed.org have already provided draft language for consideration to Shari Swaaley, a legislative aid to Senator Schumer. If you have already contacted the senator, it is OK to call back again and ask for an update.

2. SEND SENATOR SCHUMER AN EMAIL. Here's the link: http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm. In the message, EXPRESS YOUR SUPORT FOR ESTABLISHING 9/11 AS A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE, and URGE THE SENATOR TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT ASAP TO THE KENNEDY-HATCH SERVE AMERICA BILL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING 9/11 AS A NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE. MENTION THAT THIS BILL IS NOW IN COMMITTEE AND WE NEED THE SENATOR TO ACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You can mention that representatives of MyGoodDeed.org have already provided the draft language for consideration to Shari Swaaley, a legislative aid to Senator Schumer. It would be good to include your own thoughts on why this is important to you. Please call and email if you can. The calls are most important!

3. On the House side, now is also a critical time call your local U.S. Representative and ask them to call Representative Carolyn McCarthy and Rep. George Miller and express their support for including the 9/11 day of service language in the Give Act. The House Committee is holding hearing on this bill next week!

Lastly, please spread the word to others....and ask them to help as well!

If you agree with this move, check out My Good Deed's website, and see how you can help.

Thank you,