Proclamation 3530—National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week, 1963

Whereas our transportation system serves as the veins and arteries through which we channel the lifeblood of our production; and

Whereas not only our commercial and economic life, but also our national defense, are dependent upon effective transportation; and

Whereas it is appropriate that recognition be given to the importance of the American transportation system to the growth, culture, and prosperity of our Nation, to the expansion of peaceful trade and world commerce, and to the effective logistic support of our armed forces; and

Whereas the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 22, approved May 16, 1957 (71 Stat. 30), has requested the President to proclaim annually the third Friday of May of each year as National Defense Transportation Day, and by House Joint Resolution 628, approved May 14, 1962 (76 Stat. 69), has requested the President to proclaim annually the week in May of each year in which falls the third Friday of that month as National Transportation Week, as a tribute to the men and women who, night and day, move goods and people throughout our land:

Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America., do hereby designate Friday, May 17, 1963, as National Defense Transportation Day, and the week beginning May 12, 1963, as National Transportation Week; and I urge our people to participate, together with the transportation industry, representatives of the armed forces, and other governmental agencies, in the observance of these occasions by appropriate ceremonies.

I also invite the Governors of the States to provide for the observance of National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week in such manner as will afford an opportunity for the citizens of each community to recognize and appreciate fully the vital role of a great modern transportation system in their daily lives and in our national defense.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of, Washington this nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-seventh.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

By the President:

DEAN RUSK,

Secretary of State