[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28181-28182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12263]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 97 / Thursday, May 20, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

 ___________________________________________________________________

 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 28181]]

                Proclamation 8520 of May 14, 2010

                
National Defense Transportation Day and National 
                Transportation Week, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The transportation networks of early America connected 
                our rapidly growing Nation with natural waterways and 
                dirt roads, making travel difficult and time-consuming. 
                In the time since, undeveloped paths have given way to 
                iron and concrete thoroughfares, and our modern 
                transportation system has profoundly shaped our 
                landscape, communities, commerce, and culture. During 
                National Defense Transportation Day and National 
                Transportation Week, we reaffirm the importance of an 
                advanced transportation infrastructure to our Nation's 
                economy and security, and we thank the dedicated men 
                and women who build and maintain it.

                In times of peace and national crisis, efficient roads, 
                rails, ports, and airports play a vital role in keeping 
                us safe by enabling the rapid movement of people and 
                resources. The devoted professionals who design and 
                manage this infrastructure help ensure America has a 
                world-class logistics and transportation system to 
                support our military readiness and emergency response 
                capabilities.

                Our Nation's transportation arteries make our economy 
                more efficient, promoting economic growth, the 
                lifeblood of commerce. The Department of Transportation 
                is working closely with State, local, and tribal 
                governments to ensure billions in transportation funds 
                from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
                are used to improve infrastructure across America. 
                Through Recovery Act projects, we are repairing 
                crumbling infrastructure, expanding transit capacity, 
                and modernizing our transportation system to meet 
                national security standards and the needs of a 21st-
                century economy.

                The ability to travel effectively also strengthens us 
                as a people. President Eisenhower's creation of our 
                interstate highway system over 50 years ago 
                revolutionized channels of economic and social 
                mobility, drew together distant areas of our Nation, 
                and helped us maneuver through dense metropolitan 
                areas. Today, smart, sustainable development, coupled 
                with quality public transportation, has created more 
                livable and environmentally sustainable communities for 
                all to enjoy. By reducing isolation and bringing 
                neighborhoods together, we can continue to increase 
                access to good jobs, affordable housing, safe streets 
                and parks, and a healthy food supply.

                Working together to upgrade our Nation's transportation 
                infrastructure, we will lay a new foundation for long-
                term growth, security, and prosperity in America and 
                give future generations a transportation system that is 
                second to none.

                To recognize the importance of transportation and the 
                Americans who work to meet our transportation needs, 
                the Congress has requested, by joint resolution 
                approved May 16, 1957, as amended (36 U.S.C. 120), that 
                the President designate the third Friday in May of each 
                year as ``National Defense Transportation Day,'' and, 
                by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962, as amended 
                (36 U.S.C. 133), that the week during which that Friday 
                falls be designated as ``National Transportation 
                Week.''

[[Page 28182]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, 
                May 21, 2010, as National Defense Transportation Day 
                and the week of May 16 through May 22, 2010, as 
                National Transportation Week. I call upon all Americans 
                to recognize the importance of our Nation's 
                transportation system and to acknowledge the 
                contributions of the men and women who support this 
                critical sector.

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

[FR Doc. 2010-12263
Filed 5-19-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P