[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28687-28688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13278]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 101 / Tuesday, May 27, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 28687]]

                Proclamation 7680 of May 21, 2003

                
National Maritime Day, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, as in the past, America depends on our maritime 
                services to help ensure our security, promote our 
                prosperity, and advance the universal hope of freedom. 
                We honor the service and proud history of our merchant 
                mariners and also recognize their important 
                contributions in strengthening our economy.

                For generations, merchant marines and commercial 
                sailors have assisted in the defense of our Nation. 
                Most recently, more than 5,000 merchant mariners 
                supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom 
                by serving aboard 157 ships moving essential supplies 
                to our troops. As they continue to support our troops 
                in the ongoing war on terror, their mission continues 
                to be dangerous and difficult, and remains vital to our 
                efforts to defend the peace.

                We also remember the vital role the Merchant Marine has 
                played in past conflicts. More than 6,000 merchant 
                mariners lost their lives during World War II, and more 
                than 700 U.S. merchant ships were lost. Even before the 
                United States declared war, merchant mariners were 
                making perilous runs to Europe with desperately needed 
                supplies. President Franklin Roosevelt, the first 
                President to issue a proclamation honoring merchant 
                mariners, wrote of their role during wartime: ``They 
                have delivered the goods when and where needed in every 
                theater of operations and across every ocean in the 
                biggest, the most difficult and dangerous 
                transportation job ever undertaken.'' We are grateful 
                for the contributions and sacrifices of America's 
                merchant mariners before and after World War II, in 
                Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and around the world 
                today.

                In addition to their efforts to support our troops, 
                merchant marines play a vital role in moving the goods 
                that we produce around the United States and throughout 
                the world. Their work provides jobs and economic 
                benefits to our country, and strengthens our economy. 
                By operating as the eyes and ears of America at sea, 
                they also help protect our homeland.

                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, 
                2003, 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 28688]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-13278
Filed 5-23-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P