Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 808

STATE OF DELAWARE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the defense and security of the United States requires an active, privately owned and operated merchant fleet, capable of serving as a naval and military auxiliary in time of national emergency; and

WHEREAS, the foreign commerce of the United States employs approximately 4,000,000 men and women, and the stability and growth of this important trade is more secure if a substantial portion of it is carried on American-flag vessels ; and

WHEREAS, the urgency for modernizing our existing merchant fleet is underlined by the knowledge that most foreign maritime nations are much more active in ship building than the United States, with particular attention being called to SOviet expansion in this field ; and

WHEREAS, an adequate ship-building industry is vital to this country's security and economy; and

WHEREAS, the first steam propelled ship "Savannah", began its successful Atlantic crossing on May 22, 1819; now

THEREFORE, I, J. CALEB BOGGS, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim that Tuesday, May 22, 1956, be observed in the State of Delaware as

NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

I urge that Delaware members in Congress, and those individuals in the State interested in the strengthening of our merchant fleet, study all phases of intercoastal, coastwise and foreign shipping. Such a study could determine proper steps which will assure our investors in private vessels that they may continue profitable operation in this important field. With this sense of security and assurance that the industry has the support and interest of the national government and our citizens, future maritime expansion should result.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, J. Caleb Boggs, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this Six-

(Great Seal) teenth day of May in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and eightieth.

J. CALEB BOGGS, Governor JOHN N. McDOWELL, Secretary of State