[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7676 of May 9, 2003
 
National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week,
2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

America's transportation system takes us where we need to go, keeps our
economy moving, and strengthens our Nation's security. On National
Defense Transportation Day and during National Transportation Week, we
celebrate how modern transportation has transformed the world and
recognize the men and women who have contributed to its progress. We
also renew our commitment to increasing transportation safety and to
keeping our transportation system on the leading edge of technology.
Our 21st century transportation system safely and securely transports
our citizens and delivers a wide range of goods throughout the country
and the world. In times of war, our transportation system also moves
troops and carries defense cargo efficiently. Preserving and enhancing
our transportation resources makes that infrastructure safer,
facilitates growth in business and industry, creates jobs, secures our
Nation, and improves the quality of life of our citizens.
To sustain these advantages, we must continue to invest in our Nation's
transportation systems. From enhancing existing highways, waterways,
railway lines, pipelines, and airports, to developing fuel-efficient and
reduced-emissions vehicles, we must work towards improving safety,
protecting the environment, and furthering our national defense. As part
of these efforts, my Administration has announced a hydrogen fuel
initiative to reverse America's growing dependence on foreign oil by
developing the technology to produce commercially viable, hydrogen fuel
cells, which will help power cars and trucks with no emissions of air
pollution or greenhouse gases. This new national commitment could make
it possible for the first car driven by a child born today to be powered
by hydrogen, and be pollution-free.
Through the newly created Department of Homeland Security, my
Administration is working towards strengthening protections throughout
our national transportation system. Designed to increase protections for
America's citizens while maintaining the free flow of goods and people
across our borders, our comprehensive national plan includes selective
maritime restrictions, increased airport security, and improved railroad
infrastructure security. We are also enforcing temporary flight
restrictions and flying Combat Air Patrols over critical sites,
increasing surveillance of hazardous material shipments within our
country, and taking measures to keep hazardous materials away from
places where large numbers of people gather. We are determined to defend
the American homeland, and we will do all in our power to make sure our
skies, rails, pipelines, waterways, and roads are safe from terror.
To recognize the men and women who work in the transportation industry
and who contribute to our Nation's well-being, and defense, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved May 16, 1957, as amended (36
U.S.C. 120), has designated the third Friday in May of each year as
``National Defense Transportation Day,'' and, by joint resolution ap

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proved May 14, 1962, as amended (36 U.S.C. 133), declared that the week
during which that Friday falls be designated as ``National
Transportation Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 16, 2003, as National Defense
Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 2003, as National
Transportation Week. I encourage all Americans to learn more about how
our modern transportation system enhances our economy and contributes to
our freedom.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH