[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 24395-24396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11513]



[[Page 24393]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 102

May 25, 2018

Part II





The President





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Proclamation 9755--National Maritime Day, 2018
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 102 / Friday, May 25, 2018 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 24395]]

                Proclamation 9755 of May 21, 2018

                
National Maritime Day, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On National Maritime Day, we recognize the critical 
                role the United States Merchant Marine plays in 
                bolstering national security and facilitating economic 
                growth. We honor our merchant mariners for their 
                contributions to connecting the States, supporting our 
                military, and cementing ties among our allies.

                Long known as the ``Fourth Arm of Defense,'' the United 
                States Merchant Marine has served with valor and 
                distinction in every American conflict. The important 
                work of the Merchant Marine was never more evident than 
                during World War II, when merchant mariners sailed 
                dangerous seas and fought enemies as they connected our 
                Armed Forces fighting abroad to vital supplies produced 
                by hardworking Americans at home. In the course of 
                their valiant efforts, they endured the loss of more 
                than 730 large vessels, and more than 6,000 merchant 
                mariners died at sea or as prisoners of war.

                Today, American mariners facilitate the shipment of 
                hundreds of billions of dollars of goods along maritime 
                trade routes for American businesses and consumers. 
                Merchant mariners are ambassadors of good will, 
                projecting a peaceful United States presence along the 
                sea lanes of the world and into regions of core 
                strategic importance to our Nation. Often risking their 
                lives by sailing into war zones, our merchant mariners 
                continue to support our troops overseas by providing 
                them with needed cargo and logistical support. They 
                also advance humanitarian missions worldwide, including 
                last year's effort to ship tens of thousands of 
                containers of lifesaving supplies to Puerto Rico and 
                the U.S. Virgin Islands after they had been devastated 
                by hurricanes.

                The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 
                1933, has designated May 22 of each year as ``National 
                Maritime Day'' to commemorate the first transoceanic 
                voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah. By 
                this resolution, the Congress has authorized and 
                requested the President to issue annually a 
                proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 
                2018, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people 
                of the United States to mark this observance and to 
                display 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 24396]]

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

[FR Doc. 2018-11513
Filed 5-24-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P