Florida Senate - 2023 SB By Senator Hooper 21-00925-23 2023348__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled

An act relating to 9/11 Heroes Day; creating s. 2 683.335, F.S.; requiring the Governor to proclaim September of each year as “9/11 Heroes Day”; 4 requiring that the day be observed in public schools and by public exercise; requiring certain middle and high school students to receive specified instruction; 7 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt certain revised social studies standards; providing an effective date. 10

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and

WHEREAS, the fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in southwestern Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take control of the aircraft to prevent the hijackers from crashing the aircraft into an important symbol of democracy and freedom, and

WHEREAS, these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States, killing thousands of innocent people, and

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the attacks, the people of the United States stood united in providing support for those in need,

NOW, THEREFORE, 25

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 27

Section

Section 683.335, Florida Statutes, is created to Florida Senate - 2023 SB 348 21-00925-23 2023348__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. read: 30 683.335 9/11 Heroes Day.— 31

(1) The Governor shall proclaim September of each year as “9/11 Heroes Day,” which shall be suitably observed in the public schools of this state as a day honoring those who perished in the September 11, 2001, attacks, including 2,763 people at the World Trade Center, 189 people at the Pentagon, 36 and people on United Airlines Flight 93, and the 25,000 people maimed or fatally injured on or after that date, and which shall be suitably observed by public exercise in the State Capitol and elsewhere as the Governor may designate. 40

(2) If September falls on a day that is not a school day, 9/11 Heroes Day must be observed in the public schools in this state on the preceding school day or on such school day as may be designated by local school authorities. 44

(3) Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, middle school and high school students enrolled in the civics education class required by s. 1003.4156 or the United States Government class required by s. 1003.4282(3)(d), respectively, must receive at least minutes of instruction on 9/11 Heroes Day topics involving the history and significance of September 11, 2001, 50 including remembering the sacrifices of military personnel, 51 government employees, civilians, and emergency responders who were killed, wounded, or suffered sickness due to the terrorist attacks on or after that date, including, but not limited to: 54

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a) The historical context of global terrorism. 55

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b) A timeline of events on September 11, 2001, including the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93. 58 Florida Senate - 2023 SB 348 21-00925-23 2023348__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

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c) The selfless heroism of police officers, firefighters, 59 paramedics, other first responders, and civilians involved in the rescue and recovery of victims and the heroic actions taken by the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. 62

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d) The unprecedented outpouring of humanitarian, 63 charitable, and volunteer aid occurring after the events of September 11, 2001. 65

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e) The global response to terrorism and the importance of respecting civil liberties while ensuring safety and security. 67

(4) The State Board of Education shall adopt revised social studies standards for inclusion in the civics education course required by s. 1003.4156 and the United States Government class required by s. 1003.4282(3)(

d) which incorporate the requirements of this section. 72

Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 73