[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26379-26380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12732]



[[Page 26377]]

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Part IV





The President





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Proclamation 7002--National Defense Transportation Day and National 
Transportation Week
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 92 / Tuesday, May 13, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 26379]]

                Proclamation 7002 of May 9, 1997

                
National Defense Transportation Day and National
                Transportation Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                 The United States has the finest, safest 
                transportation system in the world--superior highways 
                and waterways, railroads, pipelines, and airports. This 
                system unites a diverse Nation, provides economic 
                opportunity, and enhances our quality of life by giving 
                our citizens almost unrestricted mobility.

                 As we approach the 21st century, we must maintain the 
                strength and reliability of this transportation system. 
                The globalization of our economy demands more efficient 
                shipping if we are to remain competitive. The growth in 
                passenger traffic spurred by an expanding economy 
                requires new and better ways of enabling people to 
                travel safely and conveniently. In an unpredictable 
                world, our transportation system must be able to 
                quickly move military and other equipment, humanitarian 
                supplies, and people to meet the demands of emergencies 
                and natural disasters throughout the world.

                 All levels of government and industry are working 
                together to ensure that our transportation system will 
                continue to meet these challenges in the years to come. 
                We must also continue to address the need for a cleaner 
                environment and for sustainable communities, and we 
                must ensure that transportation is available for people 
                with special needs. This effort will require new 
                technologies, advanced materials, improved operating 
                practices and logistical systems, and other 
                innovations.

                We must also strive to educate our youth in technology 
                and transportation issues. The Department of 
                Transportation has launched the Garrett A. Morgan 
                Technology and Transportation Futures Program to pursue 
                this important goal through math, science, and 
                technology literacy programs, private-public education 
                partnerships, and other initiatives. An African 
                American, Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal 
                and is recognized as the father of our safe 
                transportation technology program. He served as a model 
                of public service and as a catalyst to enhance 
                transportation education at all levels.

                 This week, Americans honor the men and women who, like 
                Garrett Morgan, have done and are doing so much to 
                design, build, operate, and ensure the safety of our 
                transportation system. We salute them for their 
                contributions to our Nation and for helping to ensure 
                that our transportation system remains the best in the 
                world.

                 In recognition of the millions of Americans who work 
                every day to meet our transportation needs, the 
                Congress, by joint resolution approved May 16, 1957 (36 
                U.S.C. 160), has designated the third Friday in May of 
                each year as ``National Defense Transportation Day'' 
                and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962 (36 
                U.S.C. 166), declared that the week in which that 
                Friday falls be designated ``National Transportation 
                Week.''

                 NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                Friday, May 16, 1997, as National Defense 
                Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 1997, as 
                National Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to 
                observe these occasions with appropriate ceremonies and 
                activities, giving due recognition to the individuals 
                and

[[Page 26380]]

                organizations that build, operate, safeguard, and 
                maintain this country's modern transportation system.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and 
                twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-12732
Filed 5-12-97; 10:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P