114 STAT. 3312 PROCLAMATION 7313—MAY 24, 2000 Marine and to the shipbuilding, repair services, ports, and intermodal water and land transportation systems they need to function efficiently. In recognition of the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine to our Nation's prosperity and security, the Congress, by a 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. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 22, 2000, as National Maritime Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities and by displaying the flag of the United States in their homes and in their communities. I also request that all merchant 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 oxii Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. WILLLyvI J. CLINTON Proclamation 7313 of May 24, 2000 Day of Honor, 2000 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Fifty-five years ago this month, the torch of freedom burned bright in Europe once again as Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces. Four months later, with the defeat of Imperial Japan, World War n— history's bloodiest and most destructive conflict—finally came to an end. That war's unprecedented threat to world peace, freedom, and himian rights called forth an unprecedented response from the American people. United and determined after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, American men and women poured into factories and shipyards, working around the clock to build ships, planes, tanks, and guns. Millions of others risked their lives to defend our Nation and preserve the ideals of democracy. By the war's end, some 15 million had served in our Armed Forces, including more than 1,200,000 African Americans, 300,000 Hispanic Americans. 50,000 Asian Americans, 20,000 Native Americans, 6,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and 3,000 Native Alaskans. These minority members of our Armed Forces served with honor and distinction in battles around the globe. Many of them—like the Tuskegee Airmen, the Japanese American troops of the Army's "Go For Broke" regiment, and the Native American Code Talkers who played a vital role in winning the war in the Pacific—were renowned for their bravery and dedication. America's minority veterans fought other important battles as well—^battles against prejudice, ignorance, and discrimination. Many gave their lives on foreign soil for the freedom they
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