[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 97 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29525-29526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12221]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 97 / Friday, May 18, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 29525]]


                Proclamation 8819 of May 14, 2012

                
National Defense Transportation Day and National 
                Transportation Week, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                From the railroads that connected our continent in the 
                19th century to the highways that drove progress during 
                the 20th, American infrastructure has fueled our 
                Nation's growth for generations. Our roads, rails, 
                runways, and shipyards have formed the foundation for a 
                thriving global marketplace, and our transportation 
                networks have enabled our first responders and service 
                members to react with speed and efficiency during 
                crisis. On National Defense Transportation Day and 
                during National Transportation Week, we celebrate that 
                rich legacy and recommit to building robust 
                infrastructure that will accelerate our economy in the 
                years ahead.

                The need for strong and sustainable transportation 
                networks has never been greater. While transportation 
                systems across our country continue to connect millions 
                of Americans to new economic opportunities, for too 
                many businesses, the state of our roads and railways 
                creates a competitive disadvantage that discourages 
                investment and slows the pace of progress. Crumbling 
                bridges put our safety at risk, and antiquated 
                infrastructure limits our capacity to respond to 
                threats, emergencies, and hazards at home and abroad. 
                These situations diminish our security, our prosperity, 
                and our resilience, and we must do more to address 
                them.

                That is why my Administration has prioritized 
                strategic, long-term investments in transportation 
                infrastructure that will keep America safe and ensure 
                we can compete and succeed in the global economy. 
                Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and 
                the Transportation Investment Generating Economic 
                Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant program, all 50 
                States have launched new highway and infrastructure 
                projects, and many have funded passenger rail 
                development that will modernize our cities and help put 
                more construction workers back on the job. Moving 
                forward, we remain committed to upgrading our 
                infrastructure; ensuring the safety and security of our 
                transportation systems; bringing diverse, sustainable 
                transit opportunities to communities across our 
                country; and investing in innovative solutions to 
                address the transportation challenges of today and 
                tomorrow.

                An economy built to last depends on a world-class 
                infrastructure system. This week, as we come together 
                in pursuit of that critical goal, let us recall that as 
                long as we are joined in common purpose and common 
                resolve, our Nation remains strong, and our journey 
                moves forward.

                In recognition of the importance of our Nation's 
                transportation infrastructure, and of the men and women 
                who build, maintain, and utilize it, 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.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, 
                May 18, 2012, as National Defense

[[Page 29526]]

                Transportation Day and May 13 through May 19, 2012, as 
                National Transportation Week. I call upon all Americans 
                to recognize the importance of our Nation's 
                transportation infrastructure and to acknowledge the 
                contributions of those who build, operate, and maintain 
                it.

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

[FR Doc. 2012-12221
Filed 5-17-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P