[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 28605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13856]


      

[[Page 28603]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7005--National Maritime Day, 1997
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 100 / Friday, May 23, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 28605]]

                Proclamation 7005 of May 21, 1997

                
National Maritime Day, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout America's history--from the Revolutionary 
                War to today's global challenges--our United States 
                Merchant Marine has fulfilled its mission with 
                patriotism and efficiency, transporting our Nation's 
                cargoes in times of both peace and conflict. Our 
                Merchant Marine has shown its mettle time and again 
                during major United States military engagements, 
                proving to be a crucial component in support of our 
                Armed Forces' efforts to protect our national interests 
                and defend our freedom. Today, we salute these skilled 
                civilian seafarers, who continue to distinguish their 
                profession and demonstrate their commitment to 
                America's security through their unwavering support of 
                our troops abroad in both peacekeeping and humanitarian 
                operations.

                History has taught us how important a nation's flag 
                presence is on the high seas. Heeding the lessons of 
                the past, the Congress and I reaffirmed our pledge for 
                a strong U.S.-flag fleet when I signed into law the 
                Maritime Security Act of 1996. This legislation sets 
                the course for America's Merchant Marine into the 21st 
                century, sustaining a strong sealift capability and 
                bolstering national security. The Act will strengthen 
                American maritime and allied industries, while 
                energizing our efforts to further stimulate the economy 
                through trade and commerce.

                As we look to the challenges of the future, we 
                recognize the continuing importance of our U.S. 
                domestic maritime fleet to the maintenance of our 
                Nation's commercial and defense maritime interests. I 
                commend the merchant mariners whose unstinting service 
                has helped maintain both our domestic and our 
                international U.S. fleets.

                In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant 
                Marine, the Congress, by a resolution approved May 20, 
                1933, has designated May 22 of each year as ``National 
                Maritime Day'' and has authorized and requested the 
                President to issue annually a proclamation calling for 
                its observance.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 
                1997, as National Maritime Day. I urge all Americans to 
                observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
                and activities and by displaying the flag of the United 
                States at their homes and in their communities. I also 
                request that all ships sailing under the American flag 
                dress ship on that day.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first 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. 97-13856
Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P