[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9655 of October 6, 2017

National Manufacturing Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's manufacturers have laid the foundation for our Nation's
vibrant economy and have secured our reputation as an economic
superpower. Our manufacturing products consistently set the global
standard for design and quality. American manufacturing has been
enduringly successful because it is the potent combination of the two
great pillars of the American economy: the American entrepreneur and the
American worker. The American entrepreneur is renowned throughout the
world for a steadfast determination to deliver value and innovation to
the global marketplace. The American worker has consistently
demonstrated the unique and precious ability to harness unmatched work
ethic and ingenuity and turn visions and dreams into reality. On
National Manufacturing Day, we celebrate the American manufacturers and
their workers who drive our economy, strengthen our national security,
and give meaning to the famous phrase, ``Made in the USA.'' We also
highlight the many new and exciting opportunities for future generations
to create the next wave of world-class American products.

[[Page 2528]]

Today's American manufacturers are consistently finding new ways to
incorporate advanced technology into the traditional assembly line to
produce previously unfathomable breakthroughs in areas like aerospace,
medicine, and computers. These manufacturers are writing their chapter
into the story of American innovation, while providing countless job
opportunities to machinists, designers, computer programmers, and
engineers, among others. In 2016, manufacturing contributed more than 11
percent to our gross domestic product and employed more than 12 million
workers. The American manufacturers of the 21st century employ
innovative minds equipped with problem-solving skills and knowledge
steeped in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to build
their incredible products. It is no surprise, then, that manufacturing
workers earn higher annual salaries, on average, than similar workers
employed in other sectors.
For too long, we have taken manufacturing, which represents the
pioneering, hard-working American spirit, for granted. Due to government
neglect and inaction we have witnessed our Nation's manufacturers move
their jobs and innovation overseas. Remarkably, we have stood by as our
outdated tax system has required job-creators to put their money toward
tax preparation and a bloated government, rather than into new jobs and
innovations. It has also trapped earnings that could be invested in
America, and instead encouraged corporations to invest overseas. Our
business tax rate is currently 60 percent higher than that of our
average foreign competitor in the developed world. By contrast, my tax
plan would lower the tax rate for businesses, so they can stay and do
business here and bring back profits invested abroad. Careless and
unfair trade deals are also at fault for the diminished state of
American manufacturing today. These deals have severely disadvantaged
American exports. My Administration, however, will right these wrongs
and ensure a level playing field for American manufacturing going
forward. Our manufacturers and workers deserve no less. American drive,
ingenuity, and innovation will ultimately win, and our great
manufacturing sector will thrive once again.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 October 6, 2017, as
National Manufacturing Day. I call upon all Americans to celebrate the
entrepreneurs and workers in manufacturing who are making our
communities strong.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP