For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 9, 2003
National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
America's transportation system takes us where we need to go, keeps
our economy moving, and strengthens our Nation's security. On National
Defense Transportation Day and during National Transportation Week, we
celebrate how modern transportation has transformed the world and
recognize the men and women who have contributed to its progress. We
also renew our commitment to increasing transportation safety and to
keeping our transportation system on the leading edge of technology.
Our 21st century transportation system safely and securely
transports our citizens and delivers a wide range of goods throughout
the country and the world. In times of war, our transportation system
also moves troops and carries defense cargo efficiently. Preserving
and enhancing our transportation resources makes that infrastructure
safer, facilitates growth in business and industry, creates jobs,
secures our Nation, and improves the quality of life of our citizens.
To sustain these advantages, we must continue to invest in our
Nation's transportation systems. From enhancing existing highways,
waterways, railway lines, pipelines, and airports, to developing
fuel-efficient and reduced-emissions vehicles, we must work towards
improving safety, protecting the environment, and furthering our
national defense. As part of these efforts, my Administration has
announced a hydrogen fuel initiative to reverse America's growing
dependence on foreign oil by developing the technology to produce
commercially viable, hydrogen fuel cells, which will help power cars
and trucks with no emissions of air pollution or greenhouse gases.
This new national commitment could make it possible for the first car
driven by a child born today to be powered by hydrogen, and be
pollution-free.
Through the newly created Department of Homeland Security, my
Administration is working towards strengthening protections throughout
our national transportation system. Designed to increase protections
for America's citizens while maintaining the free flow of goods and
people across our borders, our comprehensive national plan includes
selective maritime restrictions, increased airport security, and
improved railroad infrastructure security. We are also enforcing
temporary flight restrictions and flying Combat Air Patrols over
critical sites, increasing surveillance of hazardous material shipments
within our country, and taking measures to keep hazardous materials
away from places where large numbers of people gather. We are
determined to defend the American homeland, and we will do all in our
power to make sure our skies, rails, pipelines, waterways, and roads
are safe from terror.
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 16, 2003, as National
Defense Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 2003, as National
Transportation Week. I encourage all Americans to learn more about how
our modern transportation system enhances our economy and contributes
to our freedom.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
|