National Maritime Day Proclamations 1989 to 1992 by President George Bush of the United States of America honor American Merchant Marine

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1989

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1990

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1991

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1992

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1989 by President George Bush of the United States of America

The value of merchant craft in wartime operations was first demonstrated during the Revolution, when they supplemented the 34 ships of the small Continental Navy. These vessels wrought havoc on enemy shipping, capturing or sinking some 600 British merchant vessels. Those losses intensified the mounting pressure on Parliament to end the war.

In this century, their support has been crucial-and their sacrifices heroic-in many armed conflicts. During World War LI alone, despite enemy attacks which sank more than 700 U.S.-flag merchant ships and claimed the lives of more than 6,000 civilian seafarers, they transported the troops and kept open the supply lines that led ultimately to victory.

Clearly we owe our valiant merchant mariners an enormous debt of gratitude. Last year I joined millions of Americans in welcoming the news that these seafarers had finally received the official recognition they deserve as veterans of war.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. merchant marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated May 22 of each year as "National Maritime Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance. This date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1819 when the SS SAVANNAH left Savannah, Georgia, on the first transatlantic steamship voyage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 1989, as National Maritime Day. I urge the people of the United States to observe this day by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of
May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirteenth.

George Bush

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1990 by President George Bush of the United States of America

For more than 200 years, the members of the American merchant marine and civilian American seafarers have made vital contributions to the economic development of the United States. They have also played an essential role in securing and maintaining our freedom.

The effectiveness of the merchant marine in military operations was first revealed during the Revolutionary War, when our Nation's commercial vessels supplemented the 34 ships of the Continental Navy. These vessels captured or sank some 600 British merchant craft, thereby disrupting enemy shipping and helping to advance the end of the war. Since that time, America's merchant sailors have continued to demonstrate their courage and patriotism during armed conflicts. Indeed, during World War II alone, more than 6,000 civilian seafarers lost their lives in efforts to deliver essential reinforcements and supplies to our Armed Forces and those of our Allies around the world. Despite the loss of more than 700 U.S.-flag merchant ships, our merchant seafarers successfully transported troops and kept open vital supply lines.

Today, the merchant marine continues to play a vital role in trade and defense. The United States' national sealift objective remains the same: ensuring that sufficient military and civil maritime resources will be available to meet defense deployment and essential economic requirements in support of our national security strategy.

Our new, comprehensive national transportation policy supports this objective and recognizes the need to reform Federal maritime programs in order to enhance both the competitiveness and the sealift capacity of the American merchant marine. In accordance with this policy, the Department of Transportation's goal is to review and restructure Federal maritime programs to promote cost efficiency in the U.S. fleet; to strengthen the fleet's competitive position in the international market; and to encourage necessary modernization and expansion.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. merchant marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day'' and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance. This date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1819 when the SS SAVANNAH left Savannah, Georgia, on the first transatlantic steamship voyage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 1990, as National Maritime Day. I urge the people of the United States to observe this day by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I 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-second day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth.

George Bush

National Maritime Day Proclamation 1991 by President George Bush of the United States of America

Members of the American merchant marine carry on a long and distinguished tradition of service to our country. In addition to promoting the economic development of the United States through trade and commerce. our merchant seafarers have also provided vital support to our Armed Forces during times of conflict.

America's merchant sailors first proved their courage and mettle-and their value in military operations- during the Revolutionary War, when commercial vessels supplemented the 34 ships of the Continental Navy. These merchant vessels virtually immobilized enemy shipping and, in so doing, hastened the end of the war and the beginning of American Independence. During World War II, more than 8,000 of this Nation's civilian seafarers lost their lives as they helped to transport troops and to maintain supply lines to U.S. and Allied forces around the world. Today we are proud to salute the brave merchant mariners who served this Nation during that epic conflict.

Recent events have fostered renewed pride in America's merchant seafarers: providing essential support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, these individuals played a key role in the liberation of Kuwait. More than 90% percent of the materiel needed by our troops was transported by sea, and merchant vessels carried a significant portion of these goods. In addition to the merchant mariners who served on commercial ships during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, more than 3,000 civilian sailors manned the Ready Reserve Force vessels that are maintained by the Department of Transportation for such contingencies.

The recent coalition victory in the Persian Gulf has demonstrated. once again, the importance of the American merchant marine to maintaining an adequate and reliable sea lift capacity for the United States. It has also underscored the patriotism and the devotion to duty shared by generations of U.S. merchant mariners. On this occasion, we gladly salute our Nation's civilian seafarers, our port terminal operators, and all those who serve in our vital maritime industries.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. merchant marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved May 20,1933, has designated May 22 of each year as "National Maritime Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance. This date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1819 when the SS SAVANNAH left Savannah, Georgia, on the first transatlantic steamship voyage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22,1991, as National Maritime Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I request that all ships sailing under the American flag dress ship on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 17 day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth.

George Bush


National Maritime Day Proclamation 1992 by President George Bush of the United States of America

This year, as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' historic first journey to the Americas, we are especially mindful of our Nation's rich maritime history. The development of the American colonies was made possible by merchant ships, and commercial vessels later played a key role in our Nation's struggle for independence. Since that time, our civilian seafarers have continued to contribute to the freedom and security of the United States, as well as to its trade and commerce. Thus, it is with great pride and appreciation that we pause to honor the American merchant marine.

America's civilian seafarers uphold a long and distinguished tradition of service to our country, a legacy that includes outstanding contributions in peacetime and in time of peril. During the Revolutionary War, merchant craft supplemented the 34 ships of the Continental Navy and captured and sank some 600 British vessels, thereby frustrating enemy shipping and hastening the American victory. During World War II, the United States merchant marine provided a vital lifeline for liberty as it helped to transport materiel and reinforcements to American and Allied forces around the world. More than 700 U.S.-flag merchant ships were lost to enemy attacks during that conflict, and more than 6,000 civilian sailors gave their lives in support of the effort to defeat tyranny and aggression. We remain grateful to each of them.

Our Nation is also grateful to the merchant sailors who contributed to the success of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm a little over a year ago. Like generations who have gone before them, these civilian seafarers demonstrated an impressive degree of readiness, patriotism, and skill.

While past periods of armed conflict underscore the importance of a strong sealift capacity to the United States, on this occasion we also note the contributions that our merchant marine makes each day to our Nation's economic security and competitiveness. By carrying American agricultural products and other goods to foreign markets, merchant vessels contribute to our balance of payments and create jobs and opportunities for our citizens. Although our transportation system has expanded dramatically since the colonial era, shipping remains a vital part of U.S. trade and commerce.

The freedom and prosperity that we Americans enjoy today have been made possible with the help of our merchant marine, and it is fitting that we offer this special salute to our civilian seafarers, port terminal operators, and all those who serve in this Nation's maritime industries.

In recognition of the importance of the U.S. merchant marine, the Congress, by joint resolution approved May 20, 1933, has designated May 22 of each year as ``National Maritime Day'' and has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for its appropriate observance. This date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1819 when the SS SAVANNAH left Savannah, Georgia, on the first transatlantic steamship voyage.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 1992, as National Maritime Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places, and I 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 nineteen hundred and ninety-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sixteenth.

George Bush

Maritime Day Proclamations by President Bill Clinton
Maritime Day Proclamations and Celebrations
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Proclamations courtesy George Bush Presidential Library

6/5/00

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