WHEREAS,  on April 15, 2013, multiple explosions at the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon, a horrific act of terrorism, killed at least 3 people and injured more than 175 people; and

WHEREAS,  law enforcement's unprecedented response and willingness to put their lives on the line to protect the innocent and bring those responsible to justice is an inspiration to us all; and

WHEREAS,  many of the victims of this tragedy, who are both United States citizens and international visitors, are friends and family members of athletes and spectators celebrating community, sport and the intense effort and sacrifice required to qualify for the Boston Marathon; and

WHEREAS,  many Americans and people of the world watched with horror as the tragedy occurred and the day progressed; and

WHEREAS,  heroic emergency medical technicians, police officers, firefighters, members of the National Guard and other first responders, as well as many marathon participants, volunteers and spectators, saved lives while putting themselves at risk; and

WHEREAS,  Maine and Massachusetts have a special historical, economic and cultural relationship, extending back before our Nation's founding, including our mutual celebration of Patriot's Day as a state holiday, and scores of Maine people run in the Boston Marathon every year; now, therefore, be it