[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19893-19894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10712]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 78 / Wednesday, April 23, 1997 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 19893]]


                Proclamation 6993 of April 19, 1997

                
National Wildlife Week, 1997

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation is blessed with a wealth of wildlife, wild 
                places, and natural resources that enrich the lives of 
                all Americans. Conserving our wildlife--whether 
                antelope or grizzly bear, salmon or serpent, or plumed 
                bird--is of urgent importance. Our vast system of 
                wildlife refuges has played a vital role in this 
                endeavor. Helping to ensure greater harmony between 
                people and nature, more than 92 million acres of land 
                and waters are dedicated to wildlife conservation, 
                encompassing 500 refuges, with at least one in every 
                State and within a short drive of most major cities. 
                These wonderful resources provide opportunities for 
                people of all ages and from all walks of life, and from 
                cities, suburbs, and the rural heartland, to learn 
                about and participate in the effort to preserve the 
                places and wildlife that contribute so much to our 
                Nation's heritage and natural wealth.

                The appreciation and protection of wildlife, 
                particularly of endangered or threatened species, is 
                both the right and responsibility of all Americans. 
                Indeed, countless individuals and private volunteer 
                organizations across the United States have already 
                made a significant contribution to wildlife protection. 
                Only by engaging communities in conservation, by taking 
                note of and rewarding community service efforts, and by 
                maintaining diverse approaches to wildlife protection, 
                can we preserve our wildlife today and for future 
                generations.

                We set aside this week to celebrate the role that 
                citizens and private volunteer organizations play in 
                engaging in service activities, and in advancing the 
                knowledge, appreciation, and protection of wildlife and 
                the environment. Let us also work to spread this 
                message to broader audiences and encourage all 
                individuals and groups to contribute to this national 
                goal. I urge all Americans, private organizations, 
                businesses, community leaders, elected officials and 
                governmental agencies to do all they can to preserve 
                and value the role of wildlife resources in our lives. 
                This tradition of nature education will continue to 
                teach our children how to be lifelong stewards of the 
                environment and help to build the knowledge and 
                understanding essential to the protection of nature's 
                abundant gifts.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim April 20 through April 26, 
                1997, as National Wildlife Week. I ask all Americans to 
                find ways to promote the conservation and protection of 
                our wildlife and wild places.

[[Page 19894]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
                nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and of the 
                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-first.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 97-10712
Filed 4-22-97; 10:59 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P