U.S. Merchant Marine veterans, current seafarers and maritime industry stakeholders will gather Friday, May 20, 2016, to commemorate National Maritime Day in the Port of Duluth-Superior. The event is set for noon in the Horizon Room at the DECC Harbor Side Convention Center in Duluth.
Mike Piskur, program manager for the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, will deliver the luncheon’s keynote address: “Bringing out the Best in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Maritime System.” His remarks will highlight the Conference’s first-ever regional maritime transportation system strategy – a strategy to double trade, build new markets, support the region’s industrial core and grow its economy.
The Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers is a non-partisan partnership of eight U.S. States and two Canadian Provinces – chief executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ontario and Québec. Piskur manages the Conference’s work on maritime transportation, aquatic invasive species and water use data. He also coordinates the Conference’s public communications and government relations. Through the Conference, the Governors and Premiers work as equal partners to grow the region’s $5 trillion economy and protect the world’s largest system of surface fresh water.
National Maritime Day honors the historic and ongoing service and sacrifice of our nation’s Merchant Marine and celebrates the contributions of the U.S. maritime industry. The commemorative event, which commences with the presentation of colors and a short memorial service to honor those seafarers, is hosted locally by the Propeller Club of Duluth-Superior. This year’s event in Duluth is being held in advance of the official date of May 22, which falls on Sunday.
National Maritime Day is a time-honored tradition that recognizes America’s Merchant Marine for their legacy of service and sacrifice, safeguarding our nation and its trade corridors during times of war and peace. It traces its history to 1933 when President Franklin Roosevelt, with Congressional support, set aside May 22 as National Maritime Day. The date was chosen to coincide with the sailing of the first steamship, the SS Savannah, in 1819 from its homeport in Savannah, Georgia to Liverpool, England, signaling the start of an era of American technological leadership. In the later 20th century, the day overwhelmingly became a celebration of the Merchant Marines. Today, National Maritime Day is observed across the country as a combined salute to merchant mariners, veterans and the entire maritime industry, focusing attention on the importance of maritime and its value to America’s economy, national security, balance of trade and quality of life.