[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27237-27238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11675]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 92 / Wednesday, May 13, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 27237]]

                Proclamation 9276 of May 8, 2015

                
National Defense Transportation Day and National 
                Transportation Week, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                American infrastructure is the foundation of our 
                economy--helping businesses move products, getting 
                workers to the job, and ensuring families make it home 
                to their loved ones each night. All year, we rely on 
                our transportation networks to sustain our way of life, 
                and on National Defense Transportation Day and during 
                National Transportation Week, we pause to reaffirm the 
                importance of infrastructure and the role it plays in 
                growing our economy and keeping us safe.

                Today, our Nation's investment in transportation lags 
                behind the rest of the world. Over half of America's 
                major roads are in less than good condition, and a 
                quarter of our bridges require significant repair or 
                cannot handle today's traffic, costing businesses and 
                consumers billions in unnecessary freight expenses. 
                Countless hours and dollars are lost navigating bad 
                roads, making transportation costs--from wasted gas to 
                commercial trucking costs that are passed on to the 
                consumer--one of the biggest expenses for the average 
                American family.

                America's commitment to connect two coasts forged the 
                Transcontinental Railroad, and our need for a robust 
                network of roads fueled the Interstate Highway System. 
                The United States was once a leader in infrastructure, 
                and my Administration is dedicated to restoring this 
                legacy by making investments that will improve the 
                competitiveness of our economy while creating jobs and 
                expanding opportunity for all hardworking Americans. 
                Last year, we launched the Build America Investment 
                Initiative to give cities and States innovative 
                opportunities to partner with the private sector on 
                infrastructure funding. We are continuing to advance 
                major highway and port projects, and this year, we 
                announced new infrastructure tax proposals that will 
                level the playing field for municipalities seeking 
                public-private infrastructure partnerships.

                Keeping our infrastructure up-to-date is not only 
                crucial to our economy, it is essential to our safety 
                and security. The same roads, bridges, and ports that 
                we depend on to carry goods to market also enable us to 
                deliver lifesaving resources to victims during 
                emergencies. In the face of a changing climate, 
                resilient infrastructure that can withstand more 
                frequent and more devastating natural disasters is more 
                important than ever. To ensure our Nation is prepared 
                in the face of crisis and to guarantee service members 
                and first responders can do their jobs safely and 
                effectively, we must continue to invest in our vital 
                transportation networks.

                In a 21st-century economy, businesses set up shop 
                wherever they can find the best roads and bridges, the 
                fastest rail and Internet, and the most reliable 
                airports and power grids. This week, let us continue 
                our work to build the best transportation systems 
                possible and recommit to investing in our 
                infrastructure in a way that will keep our economy 
                growing--not just for the next few years, but for 
                generations to come.

                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

[[Page 27238]]

                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 15, 2015, as National Defense Transportation Day 
                and May 10 through May 16, 2015, 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 
                eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-11675
Filed 5-12-15; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5