[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8688 of June 2, 2011

National Oceans Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
During National Oceans Month, we celebrate the value of our oceans to
American life and recognize the critical role they continue to play in
our economic progress, national security, and natural heritage.
Waterborne commerce, sustainable commercial fisheries, recreational
fishing, boating, tourism, and energy production are all able to
contribute to job growth and strengthen our economy because of the
bounty of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.
Last year, I signed an Executive Order directing my Administration to
implement our Nation's first comprehensive National Policy for the
Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes. This policy
makes more effective use of Federal resources by addressing the most
critical issues facing our oceans. It establishes a new approach to
bringing together Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and all
of the ocean's users--from recreational and commercial fishermen,
boaters, and industry, to environmental groups, scientists, and the
public--to better plan for, manage, and sustain the myriad human uses
that healthy oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes support.
One year after the devastating BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the
Gulf of Mexico, we remain committed to the full environmental and
economic recovery of the region. My Administration is assessing and
mitigating the damage that was caused by this tragedy, and restoring and
strengthening the Gulf Coast and its communities. These efforts remind
us of the responsibility we all share for our oceans and coasts, and the
strong connection between the health of our natural resources and that
of our communities and economy. While we embrace our oceans as crucial
catalysts for trade, bountiful sources of food, and frontiers for
renewable energy, we must also recommit to ensuring their safety and
sustainability, and to being vigilant guardians of our coastal
communities.
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 June

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2011 as National Oceans Month. I call upon Americans to take action to
protect, conserve, and restore our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of June,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA