[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 102 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 28689-28690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11458]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86 , No. 102 / Friday, May 28, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 28689]]


                Proclamation 10216 of May 21, 2021

                
National Maritime Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since the first days of our Republic, America has been 
                a proud maritime Nation. To this day, the United States 
                Merchant Marine is a pillar of our country's 
                prosperity, playing a vital role in the maintenance of 
                our economic and national security. Through every 
                period of peace and war, our merchant mariners have 
                been dedicated to protecting our freedom and promoting 
                commerce. On National Maritime Day, we honor the 
                steadfast commitment and sacrifices of the men and 
                women who serve in the United States Merchant Marine, 
                and recognize their essential role in safeguarding and 
                strengthening our Nation.

                Called the ``fourth arm of defense'' by President 
                Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, the Merchant 
                Marine established itself as a cornerstone of sealift 
                support for our Armed Forces, sailing through theaters 
                of war to deliver troops and supplies while keeping 
                vital ocean supply lines operating. The perseverance 
                and dedication of the Merchant Marine contributed to 
                the Allied victory even as they suffered one of the 
                highest casualty rates of any of our military services.

                Our merchant mariners also play a critical role in 
                times of peace. They ensure our economic security by 
                keeping our coastal and inland waterways open to trade, 
                while United States-flagged ships operated by American 
                merchant mariners transport goods across our country 
                and all over the world. United States maritime freight 
                operations helped support $5.4 trillion of economic 
                activity among the many non-maritime industries that 
                depend on the Merchant Marine for access to world 
                markets. This movement of goods domestically and 
                internationally continues to ensure America's economic 
                competitiveness throughout the world--growing jobs and 
                supporting businesses of all sizes here at home.

                Our merchant mariners are also critical to extending 
                United States support and assistance to foreign nations 
                and local communities hit hard by natural disasters and 
                devastating crises. Even in the midst of a worldwide 
                pandemic, these brave men and women have overcome 
                seemingly insurmountable obstacles to fulfill their 
                mission while keeping our Nation's supply chains 
                running.

                The operation of the United States-flagged fleet is 
                essential in contributing to the reduction of 
                greenhouse gas emissions and landside congestion, 
                helping provide current and future generations with a 
                more sustainable means of freight transportation. The 
                industry is also working to develop and implement new 
                technologies to continue reducing emissions--an effort 
                my Administration is supporting through new 
                international partnerships.

                The maritime industry has long provided opportunity for 
                Americans of all backgrounds--and the Merchant Marine 
                continues to advance a more equitable industry in which 
                barriers to entry and advancement are eliminated.

                On this National Maritime Day, we honor the brave 
                merchant mariners who provide critical support to our 
                troops stationed in warzones, and who are essential to 
                our Nation's economic success. Recognizing the 
                contributions of our merchant mariners, my 
                Administration strongly supports protecting

[[Page 28690]]

                the Jones Act--the cornerstone of our domestic maritime 
                industry. We must protect those who protect our 
                country.

                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, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2021, 
                as National Maritime Day. I call upon all Americans to 
                observe this day and to celebrate with appropriate 
                programs, ceremonies, and activities.

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

[FR Doc. 2021-11458
Filed 5-27-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P