[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27439-27440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12843]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 19, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 27439]]


                Proclamation 7197 of May 17, 1999

                
National Defense Transportation Day and National 
                Transportation Week, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Throughout America's history, our transportation system 
                has played a profound role in the security and 
                development of our Nation. As early as the 
                Revolutionary War, America's merchant marine carried 
                cargo to help defend our national interests and uphold 
                our democratic ideals. In the 1800's, as many Americans 
                migrated westward, new roads and canals facilitated 
                travel and trade, helping to unify our young country 
                and to bolster our growing economy. And in the 20th 
                century, few innovations have had the same far-reaching 
                effect on our society as the airplane--now a critical 
                part of our national defense and our robust economy.

                Representing 11 percent of the U.S. economy and related 
                to one in every seven American jobs, today's 
                transportation industry continues to grow and thrive. 
                Millions of Americans rely on its readiness for 
                business and leisure travel. And we can be pleased by 
                the improved safety of our transportation system. In 
                1998, the rate of traffic fatalities in America fell to 
                its lowest level since record-keeping began in 1966. 
                Last year also marked a milestone in aviation safety 
                when, for the first time in our history, there were no 
                reported passenger fatalities on scheduled U.S. air 
                carriers.

                Securing the continued strength and safety of our 
                transportation system is among my highest priorities as 
                President. My Administration has acted aggressively to 
                improve the security of our rail system, and, by 
                initiating a new program to encourage Americans to 
                buckle their seat belts, we are working to improve the 
                safety of vehicular travel. As we face the challenges 
                of a new century, we must build on these achievements 
                to ensure that our transportation system remains the 
                finest in the world.

                Last year, I was proud to sign into law the 
                Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-
                21), the largest public works legislation in our 
                Nation's history. TEA-21 invests $198 billion in our 
                transportation infrastructure. The Livable Communities 
                for the 21st Century Initiative represents another 
                integral part of our transportation strategy for the 
                coming century, providing communities with tools and 
                resources to ease traffic congestion, preserve green 
                space, and pursue wise regional growth strategies. 
                These comprehensive programs will help communities 
                across America create a higher quality of living and 
                secure sustainable economic growth as we work to forge 
                more livable communities for ourselves and for the next 
                generation of Americans.

                In recognition of the ongoing contributions of our 
                Nation's transportation system and in honor of the 
                devoted professionals who work to sustain its tradition 
                of excellence, the United States Congress, by joint 
                resolution approved May 16, 1957 (36 U.S.C. 120), 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. 133), 
                declared that the week in which that Friday falls be 
                designated ``National Transportation Week.''

[[Page 27440]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, 
                May 21, 1999, as National Defense Transportation Day 
                and May 16 through May 22, 1999, as National 
                Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to observe 
                these occasions with appropriate ceremonies, programs, 
                and activities.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-12843
Filed 5-18-99; 11:25 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P