[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26379-26380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12732]
[[Page 26377]]
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Part IV
The President
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Proclamation 7002--National Defense Transportation Day and National
Transportation Week
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 92 / Tuesday, May 13, 1997 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 26379]]
Proclamation 7002 of May 9, 1997
National Defense Transportation Day and National
Transportation Week, 1997
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The United States has the finest, safest
transportation system in the world--superior highways
and waterways, railroads, pipelines, and airports. This
system unites a diverse Nation, provides economic
opportunity, and enhances our quality of life by giving
our citizens almost unrestricted mobility.
As we approach the 21st century, we must maintain the
strength and reliability of this transportation system.
The globalization of our economy demands more efficient
shipping if we are to remain competitive. The growth in
passenger traffic spurred by an expanding economy
requires new and better ways of enabling people to
travel safely and conveniently. In an unpredictable
world, our transportation system must be able to
quickly move military and other equipment, humanitarian
supplies, and people to meet the demands of emergencies
and natural disasters throughout the world.
All levels of government and industry are working
together to ensure that our transportation system will
continue to meet these challenges in the years to come.
We must also continue to address the need for a cleaner
environment and for sustainable communities, and we
must ensure that transportation is available for people
with special needs. This effort will require new
technologies, advanced materials, improved operating
practices and logistical systems, and other
innovations.
We must also strive to educate our youth in technology
and transportation issues. The Department of
Transportation has launched the Garrett A. Morgan
Technology and Transportation Futures Program to pursue
this important goal through math, science, and
technology literacy programs, private-public education
partnerships, and other initiatives. An African
American, Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal
and is recognized as the father of our safe
transportation technology program. He served as a model
of public service and as a catalyst to enhance
transportation education at all levels.
This week, Americans honor the men and women who, like
Garrett Morgan, have done and are doing so much to
design, build, operate, and ensure the safety of our
transportation system. We salute them for their
contributions to our Nation and for helping to ensure
that our transportation system remains the best in the
world.
In recognition of the millions of Americans who work
every day to meet our transportation needs, the
Congress, by joint resolution approved May 16, 1957 (36
U.S.C. 160), has designated the third Friday in May of
each year as ``National Defense Transportation Day''
and, by joint resolution approved May 14, 1962 (36
U.S.C. 166), declared that the week in which that
Friday falls be designated ``National Transportation
Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
Friday, May 16, 1997, as National Defense
Transportation Day and May 11 through May 17, 1997, as
National Transportation Week. I urge all Americans to
observe these occasions with appropriate ceremonies and
activities, giving due recognition to the individuals
and
[[Page 26380]]
organizations that build, operate, safeguard, and
maintain this country's modern transportation system.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-first.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 97-12732
Filed 5-12-97; 10:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
