National Maritime Day, 2000

Proclamation 7312 of May 22, 2000

National Maritime Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans have always looked to the sea as a source of
prosperity and security. Bounded by two oceans and the
Gulf of Mexico, with the Great Lakes, the Saint
Lawrence Seaway, scores of harbors, ports, and inlets,
and thousands of miles of inland river shorelines, our
Nation has been blessed with an unparalleled means of
moving passengers and freight, protecting our freedom,
and linking our citizens with the world.

Today, 95 percent of our imports and exports are moved
by water--more than one billion metric tons of cargo--
and our waterways currently handle 140 million
passengers a year. Our domestic fleet is one of our
most productive and cost-effective modes of
transportation, moving 24 percent of the Nation's cargo
at less than 2 percent of America's total freight cost.
The men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine and the
thousands of other workers in our Nation's maritime
industry have made immeasurable contributions to our
economic strength, standard of living, and leadership
in the global marketplace.

The U.S. Merchant Marine plays an equally important
role in maintaining our national security. In times of
conflict or crisis, the Armed Forces rely upon the
Merchant Marine's sealift capability to transport
critically needed equipment and supplies. Time and
again, American mariners have demonstrated their
willingness and ability to meet often daunting
challenges. From World War II to Korea to Vietnam, from
Desert Storm to the Balkans and in numerous incidents
in between, the U.S. Merchant Marine has responded with
courage, patriotism, and a steadfast devotion to duty.

The 21st century will hold new challenges for our
maritime industry, including an anticipated doubling of
cargo and passenger traffic in the next two decades. If
we are to meet those challenges, we must maintain a
robust U.S.-flag fleet, crewed by American mariners.
Last September, the Secretary of Transportation
presented to the Congress a blueprint for modernizing
our Marine Transportation System--the waterways, ports,
railways, and roads that move people and goods to,
from, and on the water. We must build more and better
ships, modernize our shipyards, create deeper ports for
today's ever larger containerships and ocean liners,
and maintain a skilled maritime workforce. We must also
ensure that local, State, and Federal agencies, the
U.S. military, the maritime industry, shippers, labor
unions, environmental groups, and other concerned
organizations work in partnership to carry out this
blueprint.

As we celebrate National Maritime Day this year, we
also mark the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Maritime
Administration. Throughout the past five decades, the
dedicated men and women of this agency have worked to
improve the competitiveness of our maritime industry in
world markets and to strengthen our ability to respond
swiftly and effectively in times of crisis. On behalf
of a grateful Nation, I salute these outstanding public
servants for their commitment to the U.S. Merchant
Marine and to the shipbuilding, repair services, ports,
and intermodal water and land transportation systems
they need to function efficiently.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant
Marine to our Nation's prosperity and security, the
Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933,
has designated May 22 of each year as ``National
Maritime Day'' and has authorized and requested the
President to issue annually a proclamation calling for
its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22,
2000, as National Maritime Day. I urge all Americans to
observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies,
and activities and by displaying the flag of the United
States in their homes and in their communities. I also
request that all merchant ships sailing under the
American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.