[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 31371-31372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14861]



[[Page 31369]]

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Part VI





The President





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Proclamation 7448--Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day



Executive Order 13216--Amendment to Executive Order 13125, Increasing 
Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal 
Programs
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 31371]]

                Proclamation 7448 of June 7, 2001

                
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                All of America's service personnel and veterans deserve 
                our gratitude, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the 
                United States Asiatic Fleet.

                The United States Navy's presence in the Far East dates 
                to 1822. The Asiatic Fleet was formed in 1902, 
                reestablished in 1910, and continued to serve into 
                1942. Through years of unrest and disturbance, the 
                Fleet protected American lives and interests along the 
                China coast and the Yangtze River, bearing 
                responsibilities that were as much diplomatic as Naval. 
                The Fleet also assisted civilian areas devastated by 
                the forces of nature and by internal warfare.

                When the attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United 
                States into World War II, the Asiatic Fleet played a 
                key role in the defense of the Philippines. Outnumbered 
                and outgunned at sea and in the air, the Fleet was 
                joined by ships of the British, Dutch, and Australian 
                navies to oppose the Japanese advance through what is 
                now Indonesia. The Fleet's destroyers hit the Japanese 
                at Balikpapan and Badung Strait, and the cruiser 
                Marblehead fought her way through massive air attacks 
                off Bali while submarines, short of fuel and torpedoes, 
                struck Japanese supply lines.

                The battle for the ``Malay Barrier'' reached its climax 
                in the Java Sea. In the opening hours of March 1, 1942, 
                the American cruiser Houston and the Australian cruiser 
                Perth, outnumbered and outgunned by the Japanese, 
                fought to the last in the Sunda Strait. They went down 
                with their guns still firing and were followed hours 
                later by the British cruiser Exeter. The remaining 
                Allied ships were then ordered to make their way to 
                Australia.

                The Asiatic Fleet was no more, but its heritage of 
                courage and selfless dedication helped spur our Navy to 
                victory in World War II. Since then, the Seventh Fleet 
                has carried on the Asiatic Fleet's duties, earning 
                honor in Korea and Vietnam and helping to preserve 
                peace and stability in East Asia. The men and women of 
                our Naval services who saw the Cold War to a peaceful 
                conclusion and won victory in Operation Desert Storm 
                are worthy descendants of the sailors and Marines who 
                earned glory in the Java Sea. As we pay tribute to the 
                memory of the Asiatic Fleet, I call on all Americans to 
                join me in saluting its proud heritage of bravery and 
                honor.

                The Congress, by Public Law 105-261, on October 17, 
                1998, has authorized and requested the President to 
                issue a proclamation in commemoration of the United 
                States Navy Asiatic Fleet.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                Untied States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 1, 2002, as 
                U.S. Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day with appropriate 
                ceremonies, activities, and programs.

[[Page 31372]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-14861
Filed 6-8-01; 10:54 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P