[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9120--MAY 9, 2014

Proclamation 9120 of May 9, 2014

National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week,
2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In today's global economy, first-class jobs gravitate to first-class
infrastructure. A sound transportation system allows businesses to
safely move their goods to market, and maintaining that system creates
jobs upgrading ports, unclogging commutes, and repairing roads and
rails. During National Defense Transportation Day and National
Transportation Week, we underscore the importance of infrastructure to
our economy, security, and way of life.
This summer, the Congress will need to protect more than three million
jobs by finishing transportation and waterways bills that provide at
least 4 years of funding for extensive infrastructure repairs and
investments. Because accessible roads, safe bridges, and good jobs
should transcend politics, I am hopeful our representatives will do
right by the American people. In the meantime, I am taking executive
action to slash bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process for
key projects. Earlier this year, I launched a competition for 600
million dollars in transportation grants. Cities and States can win this
funding by creating plans that both modernize transportation
infrastructure and stimulate the economy.
Infrastructure also plays a vital role in America's security. Fluid,
dependable, and efficient transportation systems allow first responders
and service members to swiftly arrive on the scene of an emergency. When
natural disasters strike, we rely on these systems to bring food and
first aid to victims. In order to safeguard our Nation, we must ensure
our infrastructure is resilient enough to withstand disaster and keep
supply lines open.
Today, America has ports that are not prepared for the next generation
of supertankers. We have more than 100,000 bridges that are old enough
to qualify for Medicare. And we have a world-class labor force ready to
tackle this challenge. Let's put them to work.
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.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 16, 2014, as National Defense
Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 2014, 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.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA