National Maritime Day, 2010

Proclamation 8526 of May 20, 2010

National Maritime Day, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Even before our Nation declared independence, our
forebears recognized the importance of merchant ships
and seafarers to our economic and national security.
Since 1775, America's maritime fleet has risen to the
challenges before them and worked to meet our country's
needs in times of peace and war alike. On National
Maritime Day, we recognize the men and women of the
United States Merchant Marine for their contributions
to America's leadership in the global marketplace, and
to our security.

Civilian mariners and their ships have played an
important role in equipping our military forces at sea
in national conflicts. During World War II, they
executed the largest sealift the world had ever known,
and thousands gave their lives to help convoys with
desperately needed supplies reach our troops. Their
service to our Nation continues today. Merchant
mariners support military operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian missions,
including the delivery of supplies to Haiti following
this year's devastating earthquake.

The United States Merchant Marine also shepherds the
safe passage of American goods. They carry our exports
to customers around the world and support the flow of
domestic commerce on our maritime highways. They help
strengthen our Nation's economy; bolster job-creating
businesses; and, along with the transportation
industry, employ Americans on ships and tugs, and in
ports and shipyards. Today, we pay tribute to the
United States Merchant Marine, and we honor all those
whose tireless work is laying a foundation for growth,
prosperity, and leadership in the 21st century.

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, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22,
2010, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people
of the United States to mark this observance with
appropriate activities, and I encourage all ships
sailing under the American flag to dress ship on that
day.

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