Bill English National Member of Parliament

14 September 2001

Call for official Memorial Service

The Acting Leader of the National Party Bill English has today called on the Government to organise an official Memorial Service to remember those killed in the terrorist attacks on the United States.

"Today and in the coming weeks we will see from the US the outpourings of grief of stricken families and of an angry nation. New Zealanders have been deeply affected by this savage attack on our shared way of life.

"We see Americans as our friends and allies, this is a time when we can show our solidarity and our sympathy as a nation.

"Many individual churches will remember the victims in their services this weekend. However I believe it would send an important signal of New Zealand's solidarity with the people of the United States if an official Memorial Service were held, and I have today proposed the Government to facilitate this.

"An official Memorial Service would provide a venue for people of all nationalities and creeds to come together in the spirit of remembrance.

"I hope the Government will consider this proposal favourably."

Mr English said he had written a letter to the Prime Minister outlining his proposal.

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