    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 21 (Monday, May 29, 1995)]
    [Pages 870-871]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 6803--National Maritime Day, 1995

    May 19, 1995

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        The United States owes much to our merchant sailors. At our Nation's
    beginning, these outstanding citizens opened new avenues of commerce and
    helped nurture a fledgling democracy into a beacon of freedom for people
    around the world. Since President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed
    National Maritime Day 62 years ago, the U.S. Merchant Marine has built
    on its legacy of patriotism. Its great tradition of courage and valor is
    an inspiration to all Americans.
        This year, as we honor those who served and sacrificed for our
    Nation during World War II, the contributions of the U.S. Merchant
    Marine are a special source of pride. We will always remember the
    heroism of those mariners and the dangers they faced to protect our
    liberty.
        America's Merchant Marine and civilian seafarers have put themselves
    at risk time and again to support our Armed Forces. They provided
    pivotal service during OPERATION DESERT STORM, during America's
    humanitarian mission in Somalia, and throughout OPERATION RESTORE
    DEMOCRACY in Haiti.
        Today, our country remains determined to maintain a strong U.S. flag
    presence on the high seas, a commitment central to advancing our
    Nation's national and economic security. I urge Americans to join
    efforts in support of maritime revitalization legislation and our
    ongoing shipbuilding production program. Americans' pioneering spirit
    has endowed our Nation with the most innovative maritime technologies
    and the most skilled innovative maritime technologies and the most
    skilled maritime labor force on Earth. Working together, we can preserve
    this critical advantage for generations to come.
        In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the
    Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated
    May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day'' and has authorized and
    requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its
    appropriate observance.
        Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United
    States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 1995, as National Maritime
    Day. I urge the people of the United States to observe this day with
    appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities and by displaying 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.

    [[Page 871]]

        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day
    of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five, and of
    the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
    nineteenth.
                                                William J. Clinton

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:24 a.m., May 22,
    1995]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 23.
    This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate
    issue.