[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 20 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Page 807]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7559--National Defense Transportation Day and National 
Transportation Week, 2002

May 10, 2002

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The importance of America's transportation system became evident to 
all Americans on September 11, 2001. Airliners were diverted, airports 
closed, and travelers were stranded for days as transportation systems 
across the country were disrupted. In the aftermath of September 11, the 
men and women in the transportation industry have helped restore 
function and trust to a system that was traumatized. Today, Americans 
and America's goods and services are being more safely moved to their 
destinations, as our communities continue the process of important 
restructuring.
    We have helped secure our transportation system with the passage of 
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which greatly enhanced the 
protections for America's passengers and goods. And we are determined to 
ensure that Americans have the transportation system and mobility that 
is necessary for a vibrant economy and meaningful quality of life.
    We live in a time of unprecedented travel, when goods and services, 
regardless of origin, can be available in a short amount of time. Thanks 
to imagination, innovation, and investment in transportation, we can 
safely commute to work, receive overnight mail, buy fresh fruit and 
vegetables, and travel with relative ease to destinations around the 
world. We also continue to make progress in developing a transportation 
system that offers choices and protects the environment through cleaner, 
more fuel-efficient vehicles and new, environmentally sound 
infrastructure.
    To recognize Americans who work in transportation and who contribute 
to our Nation's prosperity, defense, and progress, the United States 
Congress, by joint resolution approved May 16, 1957, as amended, (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, as amended, (36 U.S.C. 133), declared that the 
week during which that Friday falls be designated as ``National 
Transportation Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 17, 2002, as National Defense 
Transportation Day and May 12 through May 18, 2002, as National 
Transportation Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize how our 
modern transportation system has enhanced our economy and contributed to 
our freedom.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 14, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 15. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.