[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8521--MAY 14, 2010

Proclamation 8521 of May 14, 2010
World Trade Week, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

For our Nation to compete and win in the 21st century, we must rebuild
our economy on a stronger, more balanced foundation. Part of that effort
will require us to boost our exports, which are critical for our long-
term prosperity and which support millions of American jobs. World Trade
Week is an opportunity for us to reaffirm the importance of trade to our
Nation's continued economic recovery and growth.
Our Nation is still emerging from an unprecedented economic crisis.
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and millions more remain
underemployed, limited to part-time work or odd jobs. To help them, we
must do all we can to spur job creation and restore economic security.
Producing and exporting more goods and services is essential to
strengthening our ability to compete for customers outside our borders.
My Administration is proud to launch the National Export Initiative, a
comprehensive strategy to promote American exports. This initiative
brings senior Government officials together with leaders from the
private sector to increase trade opportunities for businesses of all
sizes, including individual entrepreneurs. To ensure American companies
have free and fair access to global markets, we are enforcing existing
trade agreements, addressing issues in pending agreements, and forging
new ones that protect our businesses, workers, consumers, and
environment. We are also opening new markets and encouraging development
with trade preference programs. These steps will bring us closer to
accomplishing the ambitious goal I set in this year's State of the Union
address to double our Nation's exports over the next five years.
As we pursue measures to safeguard our future prosperity, we must
remember that we still have the most innovative and productive workers
in the world. We have the most dynamic and competitive economy, and we
remain the top exporter of goods and services. As other nations and
markets grow, our leadership will not be guaranteed. Yet, our suc-

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cess has never been guaranteed. It has been forged through decades of
hard work, ingenuity, optimism, and common purpose.
This week, let us renew the enduring principles that have driven our
Nation to the forefront of human progress. With our ships, trucks,
trains, planes, and fiber optic lines, we will send our goods and
services to every corner of the globe. Together, we will make this new
century an American century yet again, and secure a bright future for
generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 16 through May 22,
2010, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this
week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate
the benefits of trade to our Nation, American workers, and the global
economy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA