[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 20 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Pages 930-931]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7197--National Defense Transportation Day and National 
Transportation Week, 1999

May 17, 1999

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Throughout America's history, our transportation system has played a 
profound role in the security and development of our Nation. As early as 
the Revolutionary War, America's merchant marine carried cargo to help 
defend our national interests and uphold our democratic ideals. In the 
1800's, as many Americans migrated westward, new roads and canals 
facilitated travel and trade, helping to unify our young country and to 
bolster our growing economy. And in the 20th century, few innovations 
have had the same far-reaching effect on our society as the airplane--
now a critical part of our national defense and our robust economy.
    Representing 11 percent of the U.S. economy and related to one in 
every seven American jobs, today's transportation industry continues to 
grow and thrive. Millions of Americans rely on its readiness for 
business and leisure travel. And we can be pleased by the improved 
safety of our transportation system. In 1998, the rate of traffic 
fatalities in America fell to its lowest level since record-keeping 
began in 1966. Last year also marked a milestone in aviation safety 
when, for the first time in our history, there were no reported 
passenger fatalities on scheduled U.S. air carriers.
    Securing the continued strength and safety of our transportation 
system is among my highest priorities as President. My Administration 
has acted aggressively to improve the security of our rail system, and, 
by initiating a new program to encourage Americans to buckle their seat 
belts, we are working to improve the safety of vehicular travel. As we 
face the challenges of a new century, we must build on these 
achievements to ensure that our transportation system remains the finest 
in the world.
    Last year, I was proud to sign into law the Transportation Equity 
Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the largest public works legislation 
in our Nation's history. TEA-21 invests $198 billion in our 
transportation infrastructure. The Livable Communities for the 21st 
Century Initiative represents another integral part of our 
transportation strategy for the coming century, providing communities 
with tools and resources to ease traffic congestion, preserve green 
space, and pursue wise regional growth strategies. These comprehensive 
programs will help communities across America create a higher quality of 
living and secure sustainable economic growth as we work to forge more 
livable communities for ourselves and for the next generation of 
Americans.
    In recognition of the ongoing contributions of our Nation's 
transportation system and in honor of the devoted professionals who work 
to sustain its tradition of excellence, the United States Congress, by 
joint

[[Page 931]]

resolution approved May 16, 1957 (36 U.S.C. 120), has designated the 
third Friday in May of each year as ``National Defense Transportation 
Day'' and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962 (36 U.S.C. 133), 
declared that the week in which that Friday falls be designated 
``National Transportation Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 21, 1999, as National 
Defense Transportation Day and May 16 through May 22, 1999, as National 
Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to observe these occasions 
with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-third.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:25 a.m., May 18, 
1999]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 19.