[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 18 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Page 678]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8254--National Defense Transportation Day and National 
Transportation Week, 2008

 May 9, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America's transportation system strengthens our national security 
and keeps our country moving. On National Defense Transportation Day and 
during National Transportation Week, we thank the men and women of the 
transportation industry for their efforts to ensure that our Nation's 
infrastructure operates effectively and efficiently.
    Innovation, investment, and imagination have enabled new modes of 
transportation to revolutionize the world. Today, businesses can deliver 
goods and services faster than ever, first responders can quickly bring 
hope and healing to those in need, and people can visit loved ones 
across the country or around the globe. The Armed Forces utilize modern 
transportation to deploy troops, move supplies, and bring our heroes 
home from the front lines. We are grateful for the hard work of all 
transportation professionals.
    My Administration supports the continued creation of safer, more 
secure, and more reliable roadways, bridges, airports, seaports, and 
mass transit systems. We are addressing the challenges facing our 
transportation system today, helping lay the groundwork for future 
demands, and giving State and local authorities the flexibility to solve 
transportation problems in their communities. By promoting research in 
advanced transportation technologies, my Administration is also working 
to help end our reliance on foreign sources of energy, improve our 
environment, and strengthen our economic and national security.
    To recognize the men and women who work in the transportation 
industry and who contribute to our Nation's well-being and defense, the 
Congress, by joint resolution approved May 16, 1957, as amended (36 
U.S.C. 120), has requested that the President designate the third Friday 
in May of each year as ``National Defense Transportation Day,'' and, by 
joint resolution approved May 14, 1962, as amended (36 U.S.C. 133), that 
the week during which that Friday falls be designated as ``National 
Transportation Week.''
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim Friday, May 16, 2008, as National Defense 
Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 2008, as National 
Transportation Week. I encourage all Americans to learn how our modern 
transportation system contributes to the security of our citizens and 
the prosperity of our country and to celebrate these observances with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 13, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May 
14.