National Maritime Day, 2005

Proclamation 7904 of May 19, 2005

National Maritime Day, 2005

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's merchant mariners make our Nation more secure
and our economy stronger. Throughout our history, they
have promoted commerce and protected our freedom. On
National Maritime Day, we honor the dedicated service
of the United States Merchant Marine.

Each year, the men and women of the U.S. maritime
transportation system move more than 2 billion tons of
cargo along our waterways and across the open seas.
Many of the raw materials Americans purchase are
transported by merchant vessels, and merchant mariners
ship agricultural products and finished goods in and
out of the United States every day.

Merchant mariners have also served in every conflict in
our Nation's history. The U.S. Merchant Marine helps
provide our Nation's Armed Forces with crucial supplies
and equipment. These brave men and women demonstrate
courage, love of country, and devotion to duty, and we
especially honor those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in defense of our Nation. The United States
is safer and the world is more peaceful because of the
work of our merchant mariners, and we are grateful for
their service.

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,
2005, 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
nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand five, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B