Proclamation 3664—Commemorating the One Hundred and Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the United States Coast Guard

Whereas August 4, 1965, marks the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United States Coast Guard, the Nation's oldest continuous seagoing service; and

Whereas the Coast Guard:

—protects or saves the lives and property of thousands of people each year through its vigilance and alertness;

—enforces United States law afloat and protects the integrity of United States shores;

—provides for the safety of the United States Merchant Marine and of numerous pleasure craft operating in our waters and on the high seas, through the establishment and maintenance of a system of aids to navigation and requirements for seaworthiness, proper equipment, and qualified personnel;

—maintains a state of readiness as a branch of the Armed Forces; and

Whereas it is fitting that the Coast Guard receive the recognition and support of all citizens in the accomplishment of its many tasks; and

Whereas the men of the Coast Guard who are called upon to act in situations of stress and danger draw a great part of their strength and courage from this recognition and support; and

Whereas the Congress, by a joint resolution approved August 3, 1965, has requested the President to issue a proclamation commemorating the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary, on August 4, 1965, of the founding of the United States Coast Guard at Newburyport, Massachusetts:

Now, Therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of the United States to observe the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Coast Guard on August 4, 1965, with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

I also urge appropriate State and local officials, as well as public and private organizations, to join in the observance of this milestone in the history of the Coast Guard.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this third day of August in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninetieth.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

By the President:

DEAN RUSK

Secretary of State