[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28709-28710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13594]



[[Page 28707]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7199--National Maritime Day, 1999



Proclamation 7200--Small Business Week, 1999
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 26, 1999 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 28709]]

                Proclamation 7199 of May 21, 1999

                
National Maritime Day, 1999

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The history of the United States has always been linked 
                to the sea. For more than 2 centuries, American ships 
                and crews have made enormous contributions to the 
                strength of our economy, the security of our shores, 
                and the success of our efforts to create a more 
                peaceful, prosperous world.

                Today's U.S. Merchant Marine is building on that rich 
                maritime heritage. Our commercial ships and marine 
                infrastructure--and the dedicated men and women who are 
                part of our maritime industry and U.S. Merchant 
                Marine--continue to meet the challenges and 
                opportunities of a rapidly changing marketplace and the 
                expanding globalization of trade. Our merchant fleet is 
                a key component of our Nation's intermodal 
                transportation system, carrying more than one billion 
                tons of cargo between domestic ports and supporting our 
                connection to overseas markets. The fleet helps 
                facilitate our engagement in world affairs and helps 
                protect U.S. national security interests.

                Recognizing that a strong America requires a strong 
                merchant marine, my Administration has worked closely 
                with the Congress to promote the development and 
                maintenance of a modern, efficient, well-balanced 
                merchant fleet, capable of facilitating international 
                commerce and meeting the military needs of our Armed 
                Forces during times of conflict or national emergency. 
                Through the Maritime Security Program and the Voluntary 
                Intermodal Sealift Agreement, which implement the 
                Maritime Security Act of 1996, we have forged new 
                public-private partnerships to ensure that our country 
                will maintain a modern commercial fleet owned and 
                operated by U.S. citizens and crewed by well-trained, 
                highly skilled American sailors. We have strengthened 
                U.S. shipyards through the National Shipbuilding 
                Initiative. We also have helped keep our shipbuilding 
                industry competitive in the global marketplace by 
                providing financing guarantees, granting tax deferrals, 
                and making it easier to operate ships under the U.S. 
                flag.

                The United States Merchant Marine has served our Nation 
                boldly and well through challenge and change. As we 
                enter a new century, we must reaffirm our commitment to 
                this proud legacy. We must maintain the strength and 
                vitality of our merchant fleet and the skills and 
                training of the men and women who have made America a 
                great maritime Nation. By doing so, we will ensure that 
                U.S.-flag vessels continue to sail the world's oceans, 
                preserving our leadership of the global economy, 
                strengthening our prosperity, and defending our freedom 
                for generations to come.

                In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant 
                Marine, the Congress, by a joint 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 appropriate observance.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 
                1999, 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 in

[[Page 28710]]

                their homes and in their communities. I also request 
                that all merchant 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-nine, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-third.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 99-13594
Filed 5-25-99; 9:04 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P