Remembrance program today

As part of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, a joint campus-community program is planned for Library Mall in downtown Madison at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.

“A Program of Reflection and Remembrance” will be co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Dane County Board of Supervisors. Students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to attend.

President George Bush has proclaimed a “National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims Of the Terrorist Attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.” In it, he asks that communities mark the day with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils.

Here are the Madison program’s scheduled highlights:

Gary Sandefur, UW–Madison interim provost, and Dane County Sup. Ruth Ann Schoer will deliver welcome messages to the gathering
Jessica Miller, chair of the Associated Students of Madison, will speak on behalf of students.
Bob Ohlsen and Jackie Colbert, soloists, will lead the gathering in “We Shall Overcome,” “America the Beautiful” and other songs with accompaniment by Leotha Stanley.
Joe Elder, professor of sociology and professor of languages and cultures of Asia, will address the theme of “What We Need Now.”
An Army ROTC color guard will present flags.
At about 12:55 p.m., the gathering will observe a minute of silent reflection. The program is expected to last about a half-hour.

While classes will not be held Friday afternoon, university offices will continue to operate and, in particular, student services will be in full operation to assist those seeking support or counseling.

University officials encourage employing units to allow employees to attend the 12:30 p.m. event without taking personal or vacation time.

For updates and other details about how UW–Madison is responding to the Sept. 11 tragedies, visit this Web site