[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 27, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 30269-30270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1302]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 102 / Tuesday, May 27, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 30269]]

                Proclamation 8259 of May 21, 2008

                
National Maritime Day, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On National Maritime Day, America honors our highly 
                skilled mariners who sail the high seas, support those 
                on the front lines of the war on terror, and promote 
                commerce around the world.

                Since 1775, the United States Merchant Marine has 
                served our country, helping America become a great 
                maritime power. During the Second World War, courageous 
                mariners were among those who suffered greatly--
                hundreds of ships were lost to enemy action, and many 
                mariners made the ultimate sacrifice. We pay tribute to 
                these heroes who answered the call to serve when our 
                Nation needed them most. Today, our merchant mariners 
                continue to protect our homeland, including by 
                supporting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

                In times of peace and war, these brave patriots help 
                keep our Nation safe and strengthen our economy. By 
                transporting American goods across the oceans, merchant 
                mariners facilitate commerce and advance trade. These 
                Americans honor the noble traditions of seafarers and 
                enrich our country's maritime heritage.

                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, 
                2008, as National Maritime Day. I call upon 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 30270]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 08-1302
Filed 5-23-08; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P