[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29759-29760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4869]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 24, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 29759]]

                Proclamation 8021 of May 19, 2006

                
National Maritime Day, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The United States Merchant Marine plays an important 
                role in ensuring our national security and 
                strengthening our economy. As we celebrate National 
                Maritime Day and the 70th anniversary of the Merchant 
                Marine Act, we pay tribute to merchant mariners and 
                their faithful service to our Nation.

                Since 1775, merchant mariners have bravely served our 
                country, and in 1936, the Merchant Marine Act 
                officially established their role in our military as a 
                wartime naval auxiliary. During World War II, merchant 
                mariners were critical to the delivery of troops and 
                supplies overseas, and they helped keep vital ocean 
                supply lines operating. President Franklin D. Roosevelt 
                praised these brave merchant mariners for persevering 
                ``despite the perils of the submarine, the dive bomber, 
                and the surface raider.'' Today's merchant mariners 
                follow those who courageously served before them as 
                they continue to provide crucial support for our 
                Nation's service men and women. America is grateful for 
                their commitment to excellence and devotion to duty.

                In addition to helping defend our country, merchant 
                mariners facilitate commerce by importing and exporting 
                goods throughout the world. They work with our Nation's 
                transportation industry to share their valuable skills 
                and experience in ship maintenance, navigation, and 
                cargo transportation. This past year, the good work and 
                compassion of merchant mariners also played an 
                important role in hurricane relief efforts. Ships 
                brought urgently needed supplies to the devastated 
                areas, provided assistance for oil spill cleanup, 
                generated electricity, and provided meals and lodging 
                for recovery workers and evacuees.

                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, 
                2006, as National Maritime Day. I call upon all the 
                people of the United States to mark this observance by 
                honoring the service of merchant mariners and by 
                displaying 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 29760]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 06-4869
Filed 5-23-06; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P