National Maritime Day Wednesday, May 22, 2019 / 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
U.S. Department of Transportation 200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington D.C. 20590 This year's theme "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community" On-Demand Maritime TV Webcast Coverage |
In support of this year's theme "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community", a very strong program has been created to include Erin Gantt USMMA '83 singing the National Anthem and Keynote Speaker Jennifer Boykin USMMA ’86 - Executive VP Huntington Ingalls Industries and President of Newport News Shipbuilding. The Honorable Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon, Commissioner, Puerto Rico, General Stephen Lyons - Commander USTRANSCOM, and RDML Timothy Gallaudet, Ph.D. (USN Ret.) - Asst. Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere/Deputy NOAA Administrator will also join DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Maritime Administrator RDML Mark Buzby (USN Ret.) '79 as speakers.
Biography: Jennifer Boykin was named to her current position in 2017 as the 20th person and the first woman in (131) years to serve as President of Newport News Shipbuilding, which was founded in 1886 and has approximately $4 billion in annual revenues.
About National Maritime Day
Each year on May 22 our country celebrates National Maritime Day. The United States has always been and will always be a great maritime nation. From our origins as 13 British colonies, through every period of peace and conflict since, the Merchant Marine has been a pillar in this country’s foundation of prosperity and security. They power the world’s largest economy and strengthen our ties with trading partners around the world, all while supporting our military forces by shipping troops and supplies wherever they need to go. In 1933, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged. Maritime Day is a time-honored tradition that recognizes one of our country’s most important industries. This year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country will recognized Maritime Day and the people our maritime nation depends on. |