For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2004
National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, 2004
By the President of the United States
A Proclamation
Each year, America's transportation system helps many travelers
reach their destinations and carries more than 16 billion tons of
freight worth almost $12 trillion. In addition, our transportation
systems play a critical role in deploying and sustaining our troops and
their equipment around the world.
Throughout our history, advances in transportation have been at the
forefront of progress. Last December, we celebrated the centennial of
the Wright Brothers' first flight in North Carolina. The pioneering
work of the Wright Brothers and subsequent improvements in aviation
ushered in new eras of freedom and captured the imaginations of people
around the world.
Today, our Nation proudly continues this tradition of innovation in
all transportation fields. As we observe National Defense
Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, we continue to
modernize transportation, and we honor transportation professionals who
help to keep our transportation systems secure, efficient, and
reliable.
To recognize the men and women who work in the transportation
industry and who contribute to our Nation's well-being and defense, the
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 21, 2004, as National
Defense Transportation Day and May 16 through May 22, 2004, as National
Transportation Week.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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