[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 45749-45750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11641]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 102 / Friday, May 24, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 45749]]

                Proclamation 10764 of May 21, 2024

                
National Maritime Day, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation's merchant mariners embody the highest 
                aspirations of our democracy, always answering our 
                country's call with commitment and courage. Today, we 
                honor their service and sacrifice. Together, we 
                recommit to meeting our sacred obligation to care for 
                them and their families.

                Unbreaking and unbending in their devotion to duty, our 
                merchant mariners have stood for our Nation's freedom 
                and liberty throughout history--from delivering 
                critical goods and troops to the battlefields of World 
                War II to responding to devastating natural disasters 
                around the world and shipping the goods and military 
                cargo that keep our Nation safe and prosperous. Today, 
                our merchant mariners are continuing this legacy of 
                service, delivering humanitarian aid to people in need 
                and transporting military equipment around the world. 
                At the same time, merchant mariners are engines of our 
                economy. They facilitate international trade and 
                strengthen our supply chains by transporting billions 
                of dollars of goods across oceans, seas, and waterways 
                to the hands of American businesses and consumers.

                Our merchant mariners have always met the moment--and 
                my Administration will always have their backs. That is 
                why we are ensuring that ships traveling between United 
                States ports are American-built, American-owned, and 
                American-crewed by enforcing the Jones Act. This will 
                not only support American shipbuilding but will also 
                support good union jobs. Meanwhile, we have made 
                historic investments in our Nation's infrastructure, 
                including rebuilding our ports so that they are safer, 
                cleaner, and easier and more affordable to move 
                through.

                We also recognize that our merchant mariners are 
                strongest when they reflect the full diversity of our 
                Nation. My Budget proposes $191 million for the United 
                States Merchant Marine Academy to educate and train the 
                next generation of seagoing officers and maritime 
                leaders. Additionally, my Administration established 
                Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture Standards to 
                prevent sexual assault and harassment and to support 
                survivors.

                Today, as we honor all that merchant mariners have done 
                for our Nation, we also recognize the mariners who have 
                made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. We owe 
                these fallen heroes a debt of gratitude we can never 
                fully repay. But our Nation will never forget their 
                legacy and that of every mariner who has dared all, 
                risked all, and given all for our Nation.

                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. I 
                also request that all ships sailing under the American 
                flag dress ship on that day.

[[Page 45750]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 
                22, 2024, as National Maritime Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day and to celebrate the 
                United States Merchant Marine and maritime industry 
                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-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-11641
Filed 5-23-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P