The White House issued a proclamation Monday morning declaring the week of May 11-17 National Transportation Week and Friday May 16 as National Defense Transportation Day.

The Presidential action follows a joint resolution approved in Congress May 16, 1957, requesting that the President designate the third Friday in May of each year as "National Defense Transportation Day." In 1962, Congress updated their request to include the whole week within which the Friday falls.

"America's transportation system strengthens our national security and keeps our country moving," the President said in his official statement. "On National Defense Transportation Day and during National Transportation Week, we thank the men and women of the transportation industry for their efforts to ensure that our Nation's infrastructure operates effectively and efficiently."