National Safe Boating Week, 2000

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7309 of May 18, 2000

National Safe Boating Week, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Living in a country bordered by oceans and blessed with
abundant lakes and rivers, Americans have made
recreational boating one of our Nation's most popular
pastimes. Each year, more than 74 million Americans
take to the water with family and friends to relax and
enjoy the beauty of the natural world.

But each year, for too many Americans, boating ends in
tragedy. Most boating-related injuries and deaths are
the result of human error and poor judgment, caused,
for example, by excessive speed, failure to follow safe
navigation rules, and drinking or taking drugs while
operating watercraft. These injuries could easily be
prevented by using common sense and making safety the
first priority.

Boating accidents can occur at any time--whether the
water is smooth or turbulent and whether the boater is
experienced or a novice. One of the best ways to make a
recreational boating experience safe and enjoyable is
to ensure that everyone on board always wears a life
jacket. To reinforce this lifesaving message, the
National Safe Boating Campaign has once again selected
the theme ``Boat Smart from the Start! Wear Your Life
Jacket!'' for this year's observance. Recreational
boating organizations, including the National Safe
Boating Council and the National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators, as well as the U.S. Coast
Guard, other Federal agencies, and State and local
governments, are continuing to promote safety through
education by emphasizing the importance of wearing life
jackets and practicing boating and water safety.

In recognition of the importance of safe boating
practices, the Congress, by joint resolution approved
June 4, 1958 (36 U.S.C. 131), as amended, has
authorized and requested the President to proclaim
annually the 7-day period ending on the last Friday
before Memorial Day as ``National Safe Boating Week.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 20
through May 26, 2000, as National Safe Boating Week. I
encourage the governors of the 50 States and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and officials of other
areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States,
to join in observing this occasion and to urge all
Americans to use safe boating practices throughout the
year.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth 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.