Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States of America endured a violent terrorist attack leading to the tragic deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent United States citizens and other citizens from more than 90 different nations and territories; Whereas, in response to the attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, firefighters, uniformed officers, emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, military personnel, and other first responders immediately rose to service in the heroic attempt to save the lives of those in danger; Whereas, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of recovery workers, including trades personnel, iron workers, equipment operators, and many others, joined with uniformed officers and military personnel to help search for and recover victims lost in the attacks; Whereas, in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, thousands of people in the United States and others spontaneously volunteered to help support the rescue and recovery efforts, braving both physical and emotional hardship; Whereas many first responders, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and survivors of the attacks continue to suffer from serious medical illnesses and emotional distress related to the physical and mental trauma of the tragedy; Whereas hundreds of thousands of brave men and women continue to serve every day, having answered the call to duty as members of the Armed Forces of the United States, with some having given their lives or suffered injury to defend our Nation's security and prevent further terrorist attacks; Whereas the entire Nation witnessed and endured the tragedy of September 11, 2001, and, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, became unified under a remarkable spirit of service and compassion that inspired the Nation; Whereas, in the years immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bureau of Labor Statistics documented a marked increase in volunteerism among citizens in the United States