[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 20 (Monday, May 26, 2008)]
[Pages 736-737]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8259--National Maritime Day, 2008

 May 21, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On National Maritime Day, America honors our highly skilled mariners 
who sail the high seas, support those on the front lines of the war on 
terror, and promote commerce around the world.
    Since 1775, the United States Merchant Marine has served our 
country, helping America become a great maritime power. During the 
Second World War, courageous mariners were among those who suffered 
greatly--hundreds of ships were lost to enemy action, and many mariners 
made the ultimate sacrifice. We pay tribute to these heroes who answered 
the call to serve when our Nation needed them most. Today, our merchant 
mariners continue to protect our homeland, including by supporting our 
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    In times of peace and war, these brave patriots help keep our Nation 
safe and strengthen our economy. By transporting American goods across 
the oceans, merchant mariners facilitate commerce and advance trade. 
These Americans honor the noble traditions of seafarers and enrich our 
country's maritime heritage.
    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, 2008, as National Maritime Day. I 
call upon the people

[[Page 737]]

of the United States to mark this observance by honoring the service of 
merchant mariners and by displaying 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 twenty-first 
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 23, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May 
27.