National Maritime Day, 1999

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Part VI

The President

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Proclamation 7199--National Maritime Day, 1999

Proclamation 7200--Small Business Week, 1999

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7199 of May 21, 1999

National Maritime Day, 1999

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The history of the United States has always been linked
to the sea. For more than 2 centuries, American ships
and crews have made enormous contributions to the
strength of our economy, the security of our shores,
and the success of our efforts to create a more
peaceful, prosperous world.

Today's U.S. Merchant Marine is building on that rich
maritime heritage. Our commercial ships and marine
infrastructure--and the dedicated men and women who are
part of our maritime industry and U.S. Merchant
Marine--continue to meet the challenges and
opportunities of a rapidly changing marketplace and the
expanding globalization of trade. Our merchant fleet is
a key component of our Nation's intermodal
transportation system, carrying more than one billion
tons of cargo between domestic ports and supporting our
connection to overseas markets. The fleet helps
facilitate our engagement in world affairs and helps
protect U.S. national security interests.

Recognizing that a strong America requires a strong
merchant marine, my Administration has worked closely
with the Congress to promote the development and
maintenance of a modern, efficient, well-balanced
merchant fleet, capable of facilitating international
commerce and meeting the military needs of our Armed
Forces during times of conflict or national emergency.
Through the Maritime Security Program and the Voluntary
Intermodal Sealift Agreement, which implement the
Maritime Security Act of 1996, we have forged new
public-private partnerships to ensure that our country
will maintain a modern commercial fleet owned and
operated by U.S. citizens and crewed by well-trained,
highly skilled American sailors. We have strengthened
U.S. shipyards through the National Shipbuilding
Initiative. We also have helped keep our shipbuilding
industry competitive in the global marketplace by
providing financing guarantees, granting tax deferrals,
and making it easier to operate ships under the U.S.
flag.

The United States Merchant Marine has served our Nation
boldly and well through challenge and change. As we
enter a new century, we must reaffirm our commitment to
this proud legacy. We must maintain the strength and
vitality of our merchant fleet and the skills and
training of the men and women who have made America a
great maritime Nation. By doing so, we will ensure that
U.S.-flag vessels continue to sail the world's oceans,
preserving our leadership of the global economy,
strengthening our prosperity, and defending our freedom
for generations to come.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant
Marine, 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,
1999, 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-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-third.