[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8977--MAY 10, 2013

Proclamation 8977 of May 10, 2013

National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week,
2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
As a Nation, we have no task more urgent than creating good jobs,
strengthening our economy, and reigniting the thriving middle class that
has always been the true engine of America's growth. To meet these
goals, we need to rebuild the infrastructure that powers our industries.
We need to make our cities more connected and more resilient to the
challenges we face. We need to restore our roads, bridges, and ports--
transportation networks that are essential to making the United States
the best place in the world to do business.
In the past 4 years, we have taken important steps down that path. But
even now, too many of our rail lines are slow and backed up. Too many of
our bridges remain unsafe. We know our country can do better--which is
why I proposed a ``Fix-It-First'' program earlier this year to put
people to work on our most pressing transportation projects. Alongside
it, I also proposed a Partnership to Rebuild America, which would
attract private capital to upgrade the infrastructure our businesses
need most. These initiatives would help modernize communities, expand
small businesses, and get more construction workers back on the job.
We also recognize that repairing our transportation networks is about
more than economic growth--it is about security. At a time when our
cities face unprecedented threats and hazards, we must do more to ensure
our first responders and our service members can respond effectively
during crisis. That means protecting our critical infrastructure and
repairing roads and bridges that put our people at risk.
Together, we can make meaningful progress toward those goals. Let us
recommit this week to revitalizing transportation, pioneering new
solutions to tough challenges, and making lasting investments in
America's infrastructure.
In recognition of the importance of our Nation's transportation
infrastructure, and of the men and women who build, maintain, and
utilize it, the Congress has requested, by joint resolution approved May
16, 1957, as amended (36 U.S.C. 120), that the President designate the
third Friday in May of each year as ``National Defense Transportation
Day,'' and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962, as amended (36
U.S.C. 133), that the week during which that Friday falls be designated
as ``National Transportation Week.''





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NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 17, 2013, as National Defense
Transportation Day and May 12 through May 18, 2013, as National
Transportation Week. I call upon all Americans to recognize the
importance of our Nation's transportation infrastructure and to
acknowledge the contributions of those who build, operate, and maintain
it.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA