A joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President of the United States to issue a proclamation designating the seven calendar days beginning October 5, 1980, as "National Port Week", and for other purposes.
PL 96-371 (H.J.Res.551), enacted 10/03/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-371—OCT. 3, 1980 
94 STAT. 1361 
Public Law 96-871 
96th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Authorizing and requesting the President of the United States to issue a proclama-
tion designating the seven calendar days beginning October 5,1980, as National 
Port Weelc", and for other purposes. 
Whereas the past development of the public ports of the United 
States is the result of a fruitful partnership in which State and 
local authorities have assumed m^or responsibilities for land-
based port development with the Federal Government construct-
ing and maintaining the navigable waterways and harbors of the 
United States; 
Whereas the economic, social, and cultural developments in the 
history of the port cities and States has mirrored the conditions 
of the ports of the United States; 
Whereas ports serving the United States waterbome commerce are 
responsible for the creation and continued employment of more 
than one million workers and an annual contriBution in excess of 
$56,000,000,000 to our Nation's economic well-being; 
Whereas the development of our Nation's ports is indispensable to 
our foreign trade and vital for the achievement of a favorable 
balance of trade; 
Whereas viable United States ports are necessary to national secu-
rity and the maintenance of an adequate defense; 
Whereas the continued development of the ports of the United 
States is being adversely affected by economic, physical, and 
other factors, including the problems associated with the ade-
quacy of the harbors and channels; 
Whereas the ability of the public ports to continue their vital con-
tribution to national security and welfare may be in question; 
and 
Whereas there is an urgent need for continuing attention to the 
needs of the public ports of the United States: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the President 
of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclama-
tion designating the seven-day period beginning October 5,1980, as 
"National Port Week" and to invite the Xj^overnors of the several 
States, the chief officials of local governments, and the people of the 
United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and 
activities. 
Oct.3, 1980 
[H.J. Res. 551] 
National Port 
Week. 
Designation 
authorization. 
94 STAT. 1362 
PUBLIC LAW 96-371—OCT. 3, 1980 
Port conditions, 
gg^ 2. The Sccretaiy of Cbmmeree shaU report annually to 
Congress 
CongTess Oil the conditions of the pdi>!ic ports of the United States, 
report to 
15 use 1519a. 
including, but not limited to, their economic and technological 
development, the extent to which they contribute to the national 
securify and welfare, and those factors which m ^ impede the 
continued development of the public ports of the United States. 
Approved October 3, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
July 30, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 19, considered and passed Senate, in lieu of S.J. Res. 176.