| FOR RELEASE: December 7, 2001 |
Contact: Dan Langan (202) 401-1576 |
U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige is encouraging schools around the country that are in session at 8:46 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, to participate in remembrance events featuring "The Star-Spangled Banner." Paige's suggestion follows the announcement by President George W. Bush during his meeting with the Norway Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik that he is asking countries across the world to hold remembrance events and to play their national anthems or other appropriate songs on Dec. 11, 2001, at the exact moment the first airplane struck the World Trade Center in New York City three months ago.
During the meeting, President Bush said, "We're encouraging other nations to play their anthems and/or appropriate tunes at about the same time or an appropriate time, to send this clear signal to the terrorists. They want us to be silent. They want us to shirk from our duties. They want us to forget what took place on September the 11th." "America's students have all felt the impact of the terrorist attacks and the war against terrorism," Paige said. "They have questions to ask and ideas to share about our important current events, and it is essential for schools and families to offer them constructive opportunities to express themselves. Programs that let students explore our national symbols, their history and their significance are an outstanding way to teach the principles of freedom and democracy that we are fighting for today." In addition to encouraging schools that are in session to participate in singing the national anthem, Paige is suggesting that all schools participate in remembrance events by hosting classroom discussions and featuring lessons on the words and the history of Francis Scott Key's "The Star-Spangled Banner." To assist educators and parents interested in making the three-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks by singing and learning about our national anthem, the U.S. Department of Education has posted information about "The Star-Spangled Banner" on its Web site at www.ed.gov. The department is also making resources and information available online regarding several other initiatives for students in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Paige will participate in a school assembly at a local Washington, D.C., school on Tuesday where students and teachers will sing the national anthem and he will speak about the history of "The Star-Spangled Banner." In announcing the international effort led by President Bush, The White House said, "We will never forget the innocent victims and the brave heroes who died attempting to save them. We will never forget the survivors, the children, the devastated families and the grieving friends they left behind. And we will never forget the victims who came from more than 80 countries, and many races and religions." For more information on President Bush's leadership in the international effort to mark the three-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, go to www.whitehouse.gov.###
NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional details regarding the time and location of the event with Secretary Paige will be available to the media on Monday.
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