National Maritime Day, 2003

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7680 of May 21, 2003

National Maritime Day, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Today, as in the past, America depends on our maritime
services to help ensure our security, promote our
prosperity, and advance the universal hope of freedom.
We honor the service and proud history of our merchant
mariners and also recognize their important
contributions in strengthening our economy.

For generations, merchant marines and commercial
sailors have assisted in the defense of our Nation.
Most recently, more than 5,000 merchant mariners
supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
by serving aboard 157 ships moving essential supplies
to our troops. As they continue to support our troops
in the ongoing war on terror, their mission continues
to be dangerous and difficult, and remains vital to our
efforts to defend the peace.

We also remember the vital role the Merchant Marine has
played in past conflicts. More than 6,000 merchant
mariners lost their lives during World War II, and more
than 700 U.S. merchant ships were lost. Even before the
United States declared war, merchant mariners were
making perilous runs to Europe with desperately needed
supplies. President Franklin Roosevelt, the first
President to issue a proclamation honoring merchant
mariners, wrote of their role during wartime: ``They
have delivered the goods when and where needed in every
theater of operations and across every ocean in the
biggest, the most difficult and dangerous
transportation job ever undertaken.'' We are grateful
for the contributions and sacrifices of America's
merchant mariners before and after World War II, in
Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and around the world
today.

In addition to their efforts to support our troops,
merchant marines play a vital role in moving the goods
that we produce around the United States and throughout
the world. Their work provides jobs and economic
benefits to our country, and strengthens our economy.
By operating as the eyes and ears of America at sea,
they also help protect our homeland.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant
Marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved on
May 20, 1933, as amended, has designated May 22 of each
year as ``National Maritime Day,'' and has authorized
and requested that the President issue an annual
proclamation calling for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22,
2003, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people
of the United States to celebrate this observance and
to display the flag of the United States at their homes
and in their communities. I also request that all 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 two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B