[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9276 of May 8, 2015

National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week,
2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

American infrastructure is the foundation of our economy--helping
businesses move products, getting workers to the job, and ensuring
families make it home to their loved ones each night. All year, we rely
on our transportation networks to sustain our way of life, and on
National Defense Transportation Day and during National Transportation
Week, we pause to reaffirm the importance of infrastructure and the role
it plays in growing our economy and keeping us safe.
Today, our Nation's investment in transportation lags behind the rest of
the world. Over half of America's major roads are in less than good

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condition, and a quarter of our bridges require significant repair or
cannot handle today's traffic, costing businesses and consumers billions
in unnecessary freight expenses. Countless hours and dollars are lost
navigating bad roads, making transportation costs--from wasted gas to
commercial trucking costs that are passed on to the consumer--one of the
biggest expenses for the average American family.
America's commitment to connect two coasts forged the Transcontinental
Railroad, and our need for a robust network of roads fueled the
Interstate Highway System. The United States was once a leader in
infrastructure, and my Administration is dedicated to restoring this
legacy by making investments that will improve the competitiveness of
our economy while creating jobs and expanding opportunity for all
hardworking Americans. Last year, we launched the Build America
Investment Initiative to give cities and States innovative opportunities
to partner with the private sector on infrastructure funding. We are
continuing to advance major highway and port projects, and this year, we
announced new infrastructure tax proposals that will level the playing
field for municipalities seeking public-private infrastructure
partnerships.
Keeping our infrastructure up-to-date is not only crucial to our
economy, it is essential to our safety and security. The same roads,
bridges, and ports that we depend on to carry goods to market also
enable us to deliver lifesaving resources to victims during emergencies.
In the face of a changing climate, resilient infrastructure that can
withstand more frequent and more devastating natural disasters is more
important than ever. To ensure our Nation is prepared in the face of
crisis and to guarantee service members and first responders can do
their jobs safely and effectively, we must continue to invest in our
vital transportation networks.
In a 21st-century economy, businesses set up shop wherever they can find
the best roads and bridges, the fastest rail and Internet, and the most
reliable airports and power grids. This week, let us continue our work
to build the best transportation systems possible and recommit to
investing in our infrastructure in a way that will keep our economy
growing--not just for the next few years, but for generations to come.
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 15, 2015, as National Defense
Transportation Day and May 10 through May 16, 2015, 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 eighth day of May,
in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Inde

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pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA