[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29395-29396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12756]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 26, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 29395]]


                Proclamation 8526 of May 20, 2010

                
National Maritime Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Even before our Nation declared independence, our 
                forebears recognized the importance of merchant ships 
                and seafarers to our economic and national security. 
                Since 1775, America's maritime fleet has risen to the 
                challenges before them and worked to meet our country's 
                needs in times of peace and war alike. On National 
                Maritime Day, we recognize the men and women of the 
                United States Merchant Marine for their contributions 
                to America's leadership in the global marketplace, and 
                to our security.

                Civilian mariners and their ships have played an 
                important role in equipping our military forces at sea 
                in national conflicts. During World War II, they 
                executed the largest sealift the world had ever known, 
                and thousands gave their lives to help convoys with 
                desperately needed supplies reach our troops. Their 
                service to our Nation continues today. Merchant 
                mariners support military operations in Iraq and 
                Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian missions, 
                including the delivery of supplies to Haiti following 
                this year's devastating earthquake.

                The United States Merchant Marine also shepherds the 
                safe passage of American goods. They carry our exports 
                to customers around the world and support the flow of 
                domestic commerce on our maritime highways. They help 
                strengthen our Nation's economy; bolster job-creating 
                businesses; and, along with the transportation 
                industry, employ Americans on ships and tugs, and in 
                ports and shipyards. Today, we pay tribute to the 
                United States Merchant Marine, and we honor all those 
                whose tireless work is laying a foundation for growth, 
                prosperity, and leadership in the 21st century.

                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, 
                2010, as National Maritime Day. I call upon the people 
                of the United States to mark this observance with 
                appropriate activities, and I encourage all ships 
                sailing under the American flag to dress ship on that 
                day.

[[Page 29396]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-12756
Filed 5-25-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P