with appropriate ceremonies and activities that will give due recognition to the individuals and organizations that build, operate, safeguard, and maintain this country's modern transportation system. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6563 of May 19, 1993 World Trade Week, 1993 By the President of the United States of America Each year, World Trade Week allows us to highlight the importance of international trade, which links the United States with other nations in partnership for economic prosperity. It is also a time to recognize the importance of our efforts to stimulate domestic economic growth through the sale of American products and services abroad. For Americans, trade has buttressed our Nation's standing as the world's largest and most productive economy. Exports support millions of American jobs and account for nearly one-sixth of the employment in the U.S. manufacturing and agricultural sectors. In fact, each $1 billion of American merchandise exports supports nearly 19,000 domestic jobs. As a result, companies have been formed, factories built, and new industries created. And these export-related jobs are good ones, paying on average 17 percent more than the overall average wage. Indeed, it is our ability to modernize and expand our industrial production that serves as the foundation for export growth, allowing us to develop and produce quality products while identifying marketing opportunities at home and abroad. Our ingenuity and our determination to be the best make America's products and services among the world's most competitive. For U.S. products and services to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, however, we must be equally competitive at home and abroad. Recently, this Administration announced a broad new economic strategy to enhance government/industry cooperation in creating new technologies. Through commercialization, these technologies will be made available to smaller companies. Small and medium-size businesses create half the new jobs in this country and two-fifths of our Gross National Product, and many of these firms will seek to increase exports of their products. The high-technology sector, which employed about 10 million people and accounted for more than $100 billion worth of U.S. exports in 1992, is crucial to advancing the industrial competitiveness of the United States and assuring us of an edge in world markets. Creating a climate for American exports requires not only a strong domestic economy, but also free and fair access for U.S. products to markets abroad. This Administration, therefore, is building a trade agenda that will allow U.S. exports to compete on a level playing field with our trading partners. A top trade-related priority is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which will link the United States, Canada, and Mexico into a single market of 360 million consumers currently spending $6 trillion annually. Mexico, once economically isolated from the United States, has emerged as our Nation's third largest trading partner. With supplemental agreements to address environmental and labor issues, NAFTA will be a positive force for creating American jobs. In addition to our focus on the NAFTA negotiations, this Administration is determined to complete the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Uruguay Round agreement. GATT is an agreement binding more than 100 nations to a mutual interest in strengthening the global environment for trade. As part of these negotiations, this Administration is seeking provisions that ensure free and fair trade for American industry, as well as effective bilateral dispute settlement mechanisms. A successful Uruguay Round would lower tariff and nontariff barriers to manufactured products and other commodities, thereby increasing cumulative world output by more than $5 trillion and cumulative U.S. output by more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years. While advancing our Nation's interests through the GATT negotiations, the United States and other countries must provide financial assistance to ensure key political and economic reforms in Russia and the former Soviet republics. By carefully targeting this assistance, our Nation will not only encourage progress toward global stability, arms control, and nonproliferation, but also help create an environment in which trade with that region can flourish. Creating a secure and prosperous global environment for trade also hinges on continued U.S. efforts to benefit from the great opportunities that are available in the high-growth East Asian and Latin American markets, two of the fastest growing regions for American exports. Although thousands of U.S. companies continue to boost their profit margins through exports, thousands of other American firms have yet to market their goods abroad. In fact, just 15 percent of American companies account for 85 percent of our Nation's exports. With U.S. merchandise exports totaling more than $448 billion in 1992, "World Trade Week" reminds us of the merits of international commerce and the vast export opportunities yet to be explored by American business. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week beginning May 16, 1993, as World Trade Week. I invite the people of the United States to join in appropriate observances to reaffirm the potential of international trade for creating prosperity for all. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6564 of May 21, 1993 National Maritime Day, 1993 By the President of the United States of America On May 22, 1819, the first transatlantic steamship voyage began when the SS Savannah left the U.S. port of Savannah, Georgia. Sixty years ago, in recognition of this historic voyage, President Franklin D. Roosevelt first called upon the American people to observe May 22 as National Maritime Day by displaying the American flag at their homes and other suitable places. On National Maritime Day 50 years ago, the United States was engaged in a great World War. The United States merchant marine made victory possible by linking our production forces at home with our fighting forces overseas. Throughout our history, America's civilian seafarers have faithfully supported our military forces. Thirty years ago, President John F. Kennedy cited the role of the American merchant marine in promoting world trade. "Our ships and the men who man them stand ready to serve the Nation in any circumstance and in all conditions of peaceful commerce or national emergency," he said. On National Maritime Day 15 years ago, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, was preparing to become the first Federal service academy to grant diplomas to women. The women who have since graduated from our service academies contribute significantly to our Nation's economic and military strength. Today, America's merchant ships continue to provide jobs and economic benefits for America. The men and women who sail those ships and who serve in supporting industries are prepared to support the Nation in times of crisis. I ask all Americans to join me in saluting them on National Maritime Day, 1993. In recognition of the importance of the U.S. merchant marine, 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, 1993, as National Maritime Day. I urge the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities and by displaying the flag of the United States at their homes and other suitable places. I also 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-first day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth. 150-006 0-94-3 WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 6565 of May 25, 1993 Older Americans Month, 1993 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation This year marks the 30th anniversary of Older Americans Month—a time when we, as a Nation, honor our elder citizens and recognize the many contributions they have made to our country. Older Americans, having witnessed many of our Nation's historic milestones, are embodiments of 20th century American history. Many lived through the trying times of the Great War, the Depression, and the Second World War. With younger generations, older Americans shared the anguish of the Cold War and helped their more youthful countrymen get through this difficult period. Older Americans provide us with the experience, knowledge, and leadership that are needed to help our Nation ply the difficult waters of the present. Through their experience with adversity, older Americans understand the critical need for shared sacrifice in meeting the challenges we face. Their wisdom provides us with a valuable perspective on how we must reorient our society toward investment in the future. Working in a variety of roles, as volunteers and employees, millions of older Americans continue to give their communities the fruits of their labor. Today's older Americans are the best educated, most well-informed generation of elders our Nation has ever produced. The challenges they have met-and met successfully-have enabled them to make a continuing contribution with wisdom and understanding. We can see this not only in our families, as a new wave of responsible grandparenting helps ensure the future of our children, but also in our communities, which benefit from the experience and leadership of older Americans who volunteer their talent and time in fields ranging from business management to the arts. While we salute the continuing contribution of older Americans, we also acknowledge our debt and responsibility to them. We renew our commitment to preserving for them the quality of life they deserve. We will safeguard their economic security not only through preserving the Social Security system but also by strengthening our Nation's overall economic performance. We will provide the leadership that will help our elders remain independent members of the community for as long as possible. We will supply that help in the neighborhoods where they live-through the kinds of social and supportive services made possible through the Older Americans Act and other programs. And we can help ease the suffering and worry caused by increased medical expenses through enacting a national program of health care reform. By helping to preserve the security and independence of older Americans, we are also ensuring that our own futures will be ones of dignity with independence. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the month of May 1993 as Older Americans Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities in honor of our Nation's senior citizens. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Editorial note: For the President's remarks on signing this proclamation, see the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (vol. 29, p. 943). Proclamation 6566 of May 28, 1993 Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 1993 By the President of the United States of America Each spring, our Nation pauses to remember those who have died securing our peace and freedom. Across our country, Americans are holding ceremonies in remembrance of those who have died under the colors of our Nation. We remember the brave men and women whose sacrifices have paved the way for us to live in a country like America. We remember the families of our fallen heroes, and we grieve for their losses. And we remember the men and women who are now serving in our Armed Forces. In the war with Iraq and more recently in our peacekeeping operations in Somalia, more names of young Americans have been added to the roster of our departed heroes. Young service men and women who died in the Persian Gulf joined Americans who left their mark on history at places like the Argonne in World War I, Omaha Beach in World War II, and Pork Chop Hill in Korea, and in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. Through two centuries and several wars, America has remained the land of the free and the home of the brave. The Persian Gulf war reaffirmed that international peace and security depend on our Nation's vigilance and on the sacrifices of our service men and women. Even in this post-Cold War era, we must be wary, for the world still remains a dangerous place. By showing our understanding, we can help further the sense of lives well lived, a time on earth well spent, and a heritage of service of lasting meaning. In respect and recognition of those Americans to whom we pay tribute today, the Congress, by joint resolution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, May 31, 1993, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o'clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite |