    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9755 of May 21, 2018

    National Maritime Day, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    On National Maritime Day, we recognize the critical role the United
    States Merchant Marine plays in bolstering national security and
    facilitating economic growth. We honor our merchant mariners for their
    contributions to connecting the States, supporting our military, and
    cementing ties among our allies.
    Long known as the ``Fourth Arm of Defense,''; the United States Merchant
    Marine has served with valor and distinction in every American conflict.
    The important work of the Merchant Marine was never more evident than
    during World War II, when merchant mariners sailed dangerous seas and
    fought enemies as they connected our Armed Forces fighting abroad to
    vital supplies produced by hardworking Americans at home. In the course
    of their valiant efforts, they endured the loss of more than 730 large
    vessels, and more than 6,000 merchant mariners died at sea or as
    prisoners of war.
    Today, American mariners facilitate the shipment of hundreds of billions
    of dollars of goods along maritime trade routes for American businesses
    and consumers. Merchant mariners are ambassadors of good will,
    projecting a peaceful United States presence along the sea lanes of the
    world and into regions of core strategic importance to our Nation. Often
    risking their lives by sailing into war zones, our merchant mariners
    continue to support our troops overseas by providing them with needed
    cargo and logistical support. They also advance humanitarian missions
    worldwide, including last year's effort to ship tens of thousands of
    containers of lifesaving supplies to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
    Islands after they had been devastated by hurricanes.
    The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has
    designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day''; to
    commemorate the first transoceanic voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the
    S.S. Savannah. By this resolution, the Congress has authorized and
    requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its
    appropriate observance.

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    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2018, as National Maritime Day. I
    call upon the people of the United States to mark this observance and to
    display the flag of the United States at their homes and in their
    communities. I also request that all ships sailing under the American
    flag dress ship on that day.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of
    May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    second.
    DONALD J. TRUMP