Public invited to Patriot Day commemoration Sept. 11

Several local organizations are joining together to commemorate Patriot Day, the sixth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Entitled "Building a Safer, More Compassionate World," the event will take place from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, at the University Center on the campus of The University of Texas at Tyler.

The event features a public forum presented by a range of speakers involved in humanitarian efforts that call upon individuals and nongovernmental organizations to reach out and help those in need around the globe. Dr. Robert Sterken, political scientist at UT Tyler, will moderate the forum.

Sponsoring organizations include two student organizations at UT Tyler - Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science undergraduates, and the Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club; the American Association of University Women, Tyler (TX) Branch; the Great Decisions Advisory Group; and the League of Women Voters - Tyler/Smith County.

The U.S. Congress proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day on October 10, 2004. The resolution states that "it is appropriate to annually observe Patriot Day, September 11, with voluntary acts of service and compassion in honor of the lives lost on that day (i.e., September 11, 2001) and in the spirit of selflessness and unity demonstrated by those who participated in the rescue, recovery, and voluntary activities on that day."

"In keeping with that charge, our event will focus on educating people about individual person-to-person contributions that heal, house, educate, and otherwise give hope to our global neighbors as we all work toward building a better world," says Dee Brock, president of LWVTyler/ Smith County.

Speakers for the event include Marianne Scott, executive director of Our Voices Together, a foundation with headquarters in Washington, DC; Becky Raymond, a nondenominational minister who represents the Dallas Peace Center; Hannah Walker, Director of Family Services with Habitat for Humanity in Tyler; and Anwar Khalifi, president of the East Texas Islamic Society in Tyler.

The public is invited to attend and to join a dialogue with the panelists and one another following the initial remarks by the speakers

In addition to the forum, the event will begin with a rally and include a "Goodwill Expo," featuring a number of organizations that embrace the idea of Building a Safer, More Compassionate World. The audience will be able to pick up literature about these groups and converse with people who are personally involved in reaching out to help other cultures.

Funding for the forum in Tyler is from the League of Women Voters Education Fund and Our Voices Together, a foundation based in Washington, DC.

A group of surviving 9/11 families and friends launched this foundation to provide resources to enable a network of people and organizations work toward a better world by recognizing the power of individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of people now and in the future and the interdependence of the peoples of the world.

The Tyler event is one of a series of Our Voices Together forums. The nation-wide series launched August 30 at the National Press Club with a panel of international journalists, an event available to the public via C-Span.

Brock says, "We agree with Our Voices Together that military and security measures are not sufficient on their own to prevent terrorism. Those who want to be personally involved in creating a safer, better world will want to attend this informative, inspiring event."