[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 21 (Monday, May 29, 2000)]
[Pages 1187-1188]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7312--National Maritime Day, 2000

May 22, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Americans have always looked to the sea as a source of prosperity 
and security. Bounded by two oceans and the Gulf of Mexico, with the 
Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, scores of harbors, ports, and 
inlets, and thousands of miles of inland river shorelines, our Nation 
has been blessed with an unparalleled means of moving passengers and 
freight, protecting our freedom, and linking our citizens with the 
world.
    Today, 95 percent of our imports and exports are moved by water--
more than one billion metric tons of cargo--and our waterways currently 
handle 140 million passengers a year. Our domestic fleet is one of our 
most productive and cost-effective modes of transportation, moving 24 
percent of the Nation's cargo at less than 2 percent of America's total 
freight cost. The men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine and the 
thousands of other workers in our Nation's maritime industry have made 
immeasurable contributions to our economic strength, standard of living, 
and leadership in the global marketplace.
    The U.S. Merchant Marine plays an equally important role in 
maintaining our national security. In times of conflict or crisis, the 
Armed Forces rely upon the Merchant Marine's sealift capability to 
transport critically needed equipment and supplies. Time and again, 
American mariners have demonstrated their willingness and ability to 
meet often daunting challenges. From World War II to Korea to Vietnam, 
from Desert Storm to the Balkans and in numerous incidents in between, 
the U.S. Merchant Marine has responded with courage, patriotism, and a 
steadfast devotion to duty.
    The 21st century will hold new challenges for our maritime industry, 
including an anticipated doubling of cargo and passenger traffic in the 
next two decades. If we are to meet those challenges, we must maintain a 
robust U.S.-flag fleet, crewed by American mariners. Last September, the 
Secretary of

[[Page 1188]]

Transportation presented to the Congress a blueprint for modernizing our 
Marine Transportation System--the waterways, ports, railways, and roads 
that move people and goods to, from, and on the water. We must build 
more and better ships, modernize our shipyards, create deeper ports for 
today's ever larger containerships and ocean liners, and maintain a 
skilled maritime workforce. We must also ensure that local, State, and 
Federal agencies, the U.S. military, the maritime industry, shippers, 
labor unions, environmental groups, and other concerned organizations 
work in partnership to carry out this blueprint.
    As we celebrate National Maritime Day this year, we also mark the 
50th anniversary of the U.S. Maritime Administration. Throughout the 
past five decades, the dedicated men and women of this agency have 
worked to improve the competitiveness of our maritime industry in world 
markets and to strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and effectively 
in times of crisis. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I salute these 
outstanding public servants for their commitment to the U.S. Merchant 
Marine and to the shipbuilding, repair services, ports, and intermodal 
water and land transportation systems they need to function efficiently.
    In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine to our 
Nation's prosperity and security, 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, 2000, as National Maritime 
Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies, and activities and by displaying the flag of the United 
States in their homes and in their communities. I also request that all 
merchant ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second 
day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
fourth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 25, 2000]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 26.