Presidential Documents

31783

Federal Register

Vol. 65, No. 98

Friday, May 19, 2000

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 7308 of May 15, 2000

National Defense Transportation Day and National

Transportation Week, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout the past century, America’s national transportation system has

played a crucial role in strengthening our economy, protecting our safety,

and improving the quality of life for all Americans. Interconnecting networks

of railroads, ports, and waterways have transported millions of passengers

and billions of dollars’ worth of freight. Our national highway system connected cities to rural communities and people to jobs. The Wright Brothers’

invention of the airplane gave birth to a world-class aviation system that

revolutionized travel, created new industries, and brought the nations of

the world closer. The quality and versatility of all these modes of transportation gave our Nation a powerful defense tool as well, enabling us to

move troops and materiel swiftly and efficiently in times of conflict and

crisis. Now, as we begin a new century, our national transportation system

must embrace exciting new possibilities and new challenges.

One of the most important of those challenges is safety. Advances in technology offer us great hope for progress in reducing accidents and fatalities.

For example, the Federal Aviation Administration is working in partnership

with the airline industry, pilots, technicians, and air traffic controllers to

use improved forecasting and new communications technology to detect

severe weather sooner, to let pilots and passengers know promptly about

anticipated delays, and to centralize air traffic decisionmaking during severe

storms in order to reduce delays. Automobile manufacturers are also using

new technologies and design innovations—from stronger metals to new safety

lights to advanced brake technology—to prevent accidents and save lives.

Another of our great transportation challenges is to develop alternative fuels

and clean energy sources that will not harm our environment. Earlier this

year, I signed an Executive Order to ensure the Federal Government’s leadership in reducing petroleum consumption and promoting the use of alternative

fuel vehicles (AFVs). By developing and using AFVs, we can reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants, enhance our Nation’s energy self-sufficiency

by reducing the demand for imported oil, and create new products and

jobs.

If we make wise and informed choices today and in the years to come,

we can make our communities more livable, give our citizens greater choice

and mobility, protect our environment, and help create a truly global community. The 20th century was indeed a golden age for transportation; the

21st century can be an even brighter one.

In recognition of the importance of our Nation’s transportation system to

our national security and economic health, and in honor of the many dedicated men and women who have ensured its continued excellence through

the years, the United States Congress, by joint resolution approved May

16, 1957 (36 U.S.C. 120), has designated the third Friday in May of each

year as ‘‘National Defense Transportation Day’’ and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962 (36 U.S.C. 133), declared that the week during which

that Friday falls be designated ‘‘National Transportation Week.’’

31784 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 98 / Friday, May 19, 2000 / Presidential Documents

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 19, 2000, as National Defense

Transportation Day and May 14 through May 20, 2000, as National Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to observe these occasions with appropriate

ceremonies, programs, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day

of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence

[FR Doc. 00–12807

Filed 5–18–00; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

œ–