Number C-00-06
05-12-00
U.S. Department
of Transportation |
Deputy Administrator |
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590 |
Federal Transit
Administration |
|
Dear Colleague:
On May 29, 2000, we will celebrate Memorial Day, traditionally a time when Americans pay tribute to our servicemen and women who have helped make this nation truly the land of the free and the home of the brave. Too many of us view Memorial Day as simply a day off and have lost sight of the true meaning of the holiday. The true celebration of Memorial Day should represent one day of national awareness and reverence, demonstrating our sincere gratitude to those Americans who died for our freedom.
This Memorial Day, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), together with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) are asking your help in marking a "Moment of Remembrance" in the transit industry. The symbolic act of transit bus drivers turning on their headlights at 3:00 p.m. for five minutes serves two purposes: (1) it is a reminder to all to observe a moment of remembrance to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this holiday and honor those who sacrificed their lives; and (2) in the transportation area, on a day when many people are on the highways travelling to gatherings, it is a signal of "lights on for safety."
President Clinton has established the National Moment of Remembrance as a presidential initiative, and is supported by all federal departments and agencies.
If you and your employees would join us in this voluntary, informal effort, it would be the first step in unifying our communities and the nation as we strive toward putting honor and respect back into our nation’s Memorial Day. The effort is minimal; the results will be priceless. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Nuria I. Fernandez
Acting Administrator
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