[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 21 (Monday, May 29, 2006)]
[Pages 980-981]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8021--National Maritime Day, 2006

May 19, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The United States Merchant Marine plays an important role in 
ensuring our national security and strengthening our economy. As we 
celebrate National Maritime Day and the 70th anniversary of the Merchant 
Marine Act, we pay tribute to merchant mariners and their faithful 
service to our Nation.
    Since 1775, merchant mariners have bravely served our country, and 
in 1936, the Merchant Marine Act officially established their role in 
our military as a wartime naval auxiliary. During World War II, merchant 
mariners were critical to the delivery of troops and supplies overseas, 
and they helped keep vital ocean supply lines operating. President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt praised these brave merchant mariners for 
persevering ``despite the perils of the submarine, the dive bomber, and 
the surface raider.'' Today's merchant mariners follow those who 
courageously served before them as they continue to provide crucial 
support for our Nation's service men and women.

[[Page 981]]

America is grateful for their commitment to excellence and devotion to 
duty.
    In addition to helping defend our country, merchant mariners 
facilitate commerce by importing and exporting goods throughout the 
world. They work with our Nation's transportation industry to share 
their valuable skills and experience in ship maintenance, navigation, 
and cargo transportation. This past year, the good work and compassion 
of merchant mariners also played an important role in hurricane relief 
efforts. Ships brought urgently needed supplies to the devastated areas, 
provided assistance for oil spill cleanup, generated electricity, and 
provided meals and lodging for recovery workers and evacuees.
    In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the 
Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 20, 1933, as amended, has 
designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day,'' and has 
authorized and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation 
calling for its appropriate observance.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2006, as National Maritime Day. I 
call upon all the people of the United States to mark this observance by 
honoring the service of merchant mariners 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.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 23, 2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 24. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.