For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 21, 2001
National Maritime Day, 2001
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
Throughout our history,
America's economic prosperity has been closely tied to its maritime
geography. From indigenous peoples navigating our majestic
rivers to colonists settling along the New World's eastern shores,
natives and immigrants alike have relied on the sea and our bountiful
inland waterways for commerce and security.
In colonial days and in the 19th century, America's maritime industries
facilitated the exchange of goods and the migration of pioneers.
During World War II, some 6,000 American seafarers and more than 700
U.S. merchant ships fell to enemy action, many in the infamous Run to
Murmansk. No branch of our Armed Forces, save the Marine Corps,
suffered a higher casualty rate. Today, our Merchant Marine
continues this proud tradition.
As recently
as the Persian Gulf War and during humanitarian and military operations
since, a unique partnership of Government, industry, and labor has
continued its vital maritime service to our Nation. Many
civilian merchant mariners crew the Maritime Administration's Ready
Reserve Force, which is observing its 25th anniversary.
Today, the U.S. maritime fleet has decreased
in the number of vessels in the international trades, but it transports
goods more efficiently and economically than ever
before. These U.S. ships deliver a billion tons of imports
and exports each year in our foreign trade and another billion tons of
waterborne domestic trade. Many merchant seafarers are
trained at out-standing institutions such as the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy at Kings Point, New York, the six State maritime academies, and
several union and industry training facilities.
To help ensure continued competitiveness, we
must tailor our maritime policy to the challenges of the 21st
century. America's Marine Transportation System will help
determine our long-term economic health and improve our ability to
respond quickly and effectively in crisis. Within the next 2
decades, cargo will double. Accordingly, my Administration is working
with Government agencies, the maritime industry, shippers, labor
unions, and environmental groups to ensure that our waterways continue
to serve as a sound transportation option in the face of ever-growing
congestion on highways and rail lines.
In
recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 20, 1933, 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, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim May 22, 2001, as National Maritime Day. I call upon
the people of the United States to celebrate this observance and to
display 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 eighteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
GEORGE
W. BUSH
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