[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 36495-36496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13267]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 101 / Friday, May 24, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 36495]]

                Proclamation 7565 of May 21, 2002

                
National Maritime Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our commercial maritime tradition dates back to the 
                founding of our Nation; and it continues to play an 
                important role today, moving passengers and freight, 
                protecting our freedom, and linking our citizens to the 
                world.

                Merchant mariners have served America with distinction 
                throughout our history, but especially at critical 
                moments. Before World War II, they made dangerous and 
                difficult voyages carrying vital supplies to Europe. 
                During that war, more than 700 United States merchant 
                ships were lost to attack, and more than 6,000 merchant 
                mariners lost their lives. Merchant mariners played a 
                vital role in the Korean Conflict, especially in the 
                rescue of 14,000 Korean civilians by the SS MEREDITH 
                VICTORY. During the Vietnam War, ships crewed by 
                civilian seamen carried 95 percent of the supplies used 
                by our Armed Forces. Many of these ships sailed into 
                combat zones under fire. In fact, the SS MAYAGUEZ 
                incident involved the capture of mariners from the 
                American merchant ship SS MAYAGUEZ.

                More recently, during the Persian Gulf War merchant 
                mariners were vital to the largest sealift operation 
                since D-Day. And after the tragic attacks of September 
                11th, professional merchant mariners and midshipmen 
                from the United States Merchant Marine Academy 
                transported personnel and equipment and moved food and 
                supplies to lower Manhattan. Their efforts enhanced 
                rescue operations and helped save many lives.

                Today, the men and women of the United States Merchant 
                Marine and thousands of other workers in our Nation's 
                maritime industry continue to make immeasurable 
                contributions to our economic strength and our ongoing 
                efforts to build a more peaceful world. We must ensure 
                our maritime system can meet the challenges of the 21st 
                century. As cargo volume is expected to double within 
                the next 20 years, a viable maritime network will help 
                our country compete in our global economy.

                Accordingly, my Administration is working with 
                government agencies, the shipping industry, labor, and 
                environmental groups to ensure that our waterways 
                remain a sound transportation option that complements 
                our overland transportation network.

                In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant 
                Marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved on 
                May 20, 1933, as amended, has designated May 22 of each 
                year as ``National Maritime Day,'' and has authorized 
                and requested that the President issue an annual 
                proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 
                2002, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people 
                of the United States to celebrate this observance and 
                to display 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.

[[Page 36496]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-13267
Filed 5-23-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P