Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3681

 123STA T . 3 6 61 PROCL A M AT I O N8 3 9 2 —JU N E 12, 2 0 09 an n u a l l y a proc la m a ti on des i g nating t h e w ee k during which J une 14f alls as ‘ ‘ N ational F lag W eek ’ ’ and called upon all citi z ens of the U nited S tates to display the flag during that week . N O W ,THER EFORE, I , BA RA CK OBA M A, P resident of the United States of America, do here b y proclaim June 14, 20 0 9, as Flag D ay and the week beginning June 14, 2009, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag of the United States on all Fed - eral G o v ernment buildings during the week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes at their homes and other suitable places. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, set aside by the Congress (8 9 Stat. 211 ) as a time to honor America, celebrate our herit- age in public gatherings and activities, and recite publicly the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of June, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. BARACK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n8392 o fJu n e1 2, 2 0 09 Nation a lOce an sM ont h,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Oceans are the Earth’s dominant feature. They cover more than 7 0 per- cent of the planet’s surface and affect our lives in a variety of ways. This month we celebrate the wonder of the oceans, and we commit to protecting and sustaining them for current and future generations. The oceans are critical to supporting life. From the abyssal plains of the Pacific to the shallow coral reefs and seagrass beds of the Florida Keys, oceans support an incredible diversity of marine life and eco- systems. The base of the oceanic ecosystem provides most of the o x y- gen we breathe, so oceans are critical to our survival. These bodies of water also drive weather patterns and affect climate. Our Nation’s economy relies heavily on the oceans. Goods and services are transported across them constantly. They support countless j obs in an array of industries, including fishing, tourism, and energy. The economies of entire regions depend on the oceans. The United States has been a leader in exploring and protecting this critical resource. We have gained new insights into the ocean eco- systems through research and monitoring. We have promoted innova- tive conservation efforts, such as setting aside special areas as national marine sanctuaries. We have also reduced overfishing, made great strides in reducing coastal pollution, and helped restore endangered species and degraded habitats.