[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 119, 109th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 7904--MAY 19, 2005

[[Page 3752]]
119 STAT. 3752

Proclamation 7904 of May 19, 2005
National Maritime Day, 2005
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
America's merchant mariners make our Nation more secure and our economy
stronger. Throughout our history, they have promoted commerce and
protected our freedom. On National Maritime Day, we honor the dedicated
service of the United States Merchant Marine.
Each year, the men and women of the U.S. maritime transportation system
move more than 2 billion tons of cargo along our waterways and across
the open seas. Many of the raw materials Americans purchase are
transported by merchant vessels, and merchant mariners ship agricultural
products and finished goods in and out of the United States every day.
Merchant mariners have also served in every conflict in our Nation's
history. The U.S. Merchant Marine helps provide our Nation's Armed
Forces with crucial supplies and equipment. These brave men and women
demonstrate courage, love of country, and devotion to duty, and we
especially honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense
of our Nation. The United States is safer and the world is more peaceful
because of the work of our merchant mariners, and we are grateful for
their service.
In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved on May 20, 1933, as amended, has
designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day,''; and has
authorized and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation
calling for its appropriate observance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2005, as National Maritime Day. I
call upon the people of the United States to celebrate 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 five, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH