National Maritime Day, 2014

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9130 of May 19, 2014

National Maritime Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's open seas have long been a source of
prosperity and strength, and since before our Nation's
founding, the men and women of the United States
Merchant Marine have defended them. From securing
Atlantic routes during the naval battles of the
Revolutionary War to supplying our Armed Forces around
the world in the 21st century and delivering American
goods to overseas markets in times of peace, they have
always played a vital role in our Nation's success.
During National Maritime Day, we celebrate this proud
history and salute the mariners who have safeguarded
our way of life.

Today's Merchant Marine upholds its generations-long
role as our ``fourth arm of defense.'' Yet they also go
beyond this mission, transporting food where there is
hunger and carrying much-needed supplies to those in
distress. Thanks to our dedicated mariners, people
around the world continue to see the American flag as a
symbol of hope.

To create middle-class jobs and maintain our leading
position in an ever-changing world, we must provide new
marketplaces for our businesses to compete. As we
expand commerce, we do so with confidence that the
United States Merchant Marine will keep our supply
lines secure. Because just as America's workers and
innovators can rise to any challenge, our mariners have
demonstrated time and again that they can meet any
test. Today, let us reaffirm our support for their
essential mission.

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,
2014, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people
of the United States to mark 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 fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.