[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 20 (Monday, May 24, 1993)]
[Pages 910-911]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6562--National Defense Transportation Day and National 
Transportation Week, 1993

 May 19, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    As Americans, we take great pride in our fine transportation system. 
This system links our vast Nation in an intricate network of highways, 
waterways, bridges, and mass transit systems. Our transportation 
infrastructure strengthens America by bringing people and communities 
closer together, spurring trade and commerce, and strengthening our 
manufacturing and military power.

    Our Nation's transportation system plays a vital role in our 
national defense, both in times of crisis and in peace. It has carried 
U.S. Armed Forces to many regions of the world; it has quickly and 
safely moved the materiels needed to protect our interests; and it has 
accelerated the delivery of supplies and personnel to thousands of 
hurricane victims in Florida and Louisiana.

    The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways, 
begun in the 1950's, has served America's defense, business, and social 
needs extremely well in the last 50 years. As we enter the 21st century, 
we must find new, more cost-effective and efficient ways to travel and 
to transport goods in order to compete in the global economy. Our Nation 
must continue its commitment to technological and engineering excellence 
in order to ensure long-term military and industrial strength. At the 
same time, we recognize that a key challenge of our era is to harness 
technology to protect the health of our environment and our people. 
Technological breakthroughs can improve our quality of life, for 
example, by limiting airplane noise, increasing the speed of mass 
transit systems, or improving the reliability of tankers for oil 
transport. Transportation safety can improve dramatically with new 
technology and with concerted education efforts. American 
transportation, from airplanes to boats to school buses, already has a 
fine safe- 

[[Page 911]]

ty record, and we are making great progress. In 1992 the rate of alcohol 
involvement in fatal crashes declined to an all-time low, and safety 
belt use reached a high of 62 percent.
    As we survey our infrastructure in the 1990's, it is clear that we 
face another crucial challenge: we must shift from the construction of 
basic transportation systems to the adaptation and modernization of 
existing ones. Rebuilding America's infrastructure is not just necessary 
for the health of our transportation system, it is also essential to the 
long-term vitality of our economy. The condition of our infrastructure 
directly affects the speed of our commerce, the exuberance of our 
cities, and the mobility of our rural citizens and industries. 
Rebuilding our infrastructure can create jobs, improve our quality of 
life, spur technological development, and fuel long-term economic 
growth. A strong partnership between the public and private sector and 
the continued support of our research institutions are vital in this 
effort.
    This week we honor the men and women who build, maintain, and ensure 
the safety of our transportation system--from the person who designs the 
high-speed train to the one who drives it. We salute all American 
workers in the transportation industry for their contributions to our 
Nation. We also pause to thank Americans who are working to increase 
transportation safety through educational programs, through efforts to 
promote the use of safety belts and child safety seats, and through 
endeavors to stop the tragedy of drunk driving accidents.
    We must provide future generations with a transportation system that 
is safer, more environmentally sound, and more efficient. We must apply 
America's tremendous reserves of energy and ingenuity to this important 
task in order to ensure that America's transportation system will 
continue to serve our country's goals and enhance the quality of life of 
our people in the years to come.
    In recognition of the importance of transportation and the millions 
of Americans who work to meet our transportation needs, the Congress, by 
joint resolution approved May 16, 1957 (36 U.S.C. 160), has requested 
that the third Friday in May of each year be designated as ``National 
Defense Transportation Day'' and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 
1962 (36 U.S.C. 166), that the week in which that Friday falls be 
proclaimed ``National Transportation Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby designate Friday, May 21, as National 
Defense Transportation Day and the week of May 16 through May 22, 1993, 
as National Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to observe these 
occasions with appropriate ceremonies and activities that will give due 
recognition to the individuals and organizations that build, operate, 
safeguard, and maintain this country's modern transportation system.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
seventeenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:23 p.m., May 19, 
1993]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 20.