Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 102 / Friday, May 28, 2021 / Presidential Documents 28689 

Proclamation 10216 of May 21, 2021 

National Maritime Day, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Since the first days of our Republic, America has been a proud maritime 

Nation. To this day, the United States Merchant Marine is a pillar of our 

country’s prosperity, playing a vital role in the maintenance of our economic 

and national security. Through every period of peace and war, our merchant 

mariners have been dedicated to protecting our freedom and promoting 

commerce. On National Maritime Day, we honor the steadfast commitment 

and sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the United States 

Merchant Marine, and recognize their essential role in safeguarding and 

strengthening our Nation. 

Called the ‘‘fourth arm of defense’’ by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during 

World War II, the Merchant Marine established itself as a cornerstone of 

sealift support for our Armed Forces, sailing through theaters of war to 

deliver troops and supplies while keeping vital ocean supply lines operating. 

The perseverance and dedication of the Merchant Marine contributed to 

the Allied victory even as they suffered one of the highest casualty rates 

of any of our military services. 

Our merchant mariners also play a critical role in times of peace. They 

ensure our economic security by keeping our coastal and inland waterways 

open to trade, while United States-flagged ships operated by American merchant mariners transport goods across our country and all over the world. 

United States maritime freight operations helped support $5.4 trillion of 

economic activity among the many non-maritime industries that depend 

on the Merchant Marine for access to world markets. This movement of 

goods domestically and internationally continues to ensure America’s economic competitiveness throughout the world—growing jobs and supporting 

businesses of all sizes here at home. 

Our merchant mariners are also critical to extending United States support 

and assistance to foreign nations and local communities hit hard by natural 

disasters and devastating crises. Even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, 

these brave men and women have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to fulfill their mission while keeping our Nation’s supply chains running. 

The operation of the United States-flagged fleet is essential in contributing 

to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and landside congestion, helping provide current and future generations with a more sustainable means 

of freight transportation. The industry is also working to develop and implement new technologies to continue reducing emissions—an effort my Administration is supporting through new international partnerships. 

The maritime industry has long provided opportunity for Americans of 

all backgrounds—and the Merchant Marine continues to advance a more 

equitable industry in which barriers to entry and advancement are eliminated. 

On this National Maritime Day, we honor the brave merchant mariners 

who provide critical support to our troops stationed in warzones, and who 

are essential to our Nation’s economic success. Recognizing the contributions 

of our merchant mariners, my Administration strongly supports protecting 

28690 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 102 / Friday, May 28, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

the Jones Act—the cornerstone of our domestic maritime industry. We must 

protect those who protect our country. 

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated 

May 22 of each year as ‘‘National Maritime Day’’ to commemorate the 

first transoceanic voyage by a steamship in 1819 by the S.S. Savannah. 

By this resolution, the Congress has authorized and requested the President 

to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2021, as 

National Maritime Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day and 

to celebrate with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first 

day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of 

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 

forty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–11458 

Filed 5–27–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


BIDEN.EPS</GPH>