[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65283-65284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27193]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 65283]]


                Proclamation 7613 of October 18, 2002

                
National Forest Products Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                America's forests are one of our greatest natural 
                resources. They offer majestic beauty and fabulous 
                recreational opportunities for all Americans to enjoy. 
                They also are an important source of materials that 
                help our Nation's economy to grow and flourish. By 
                observing National Forest Products Week, we recognize 
                the countless ways in which forests enrich our lives, 
                and we renew our commitment to preserving these natural 
                assets for future generations.

                Forests strengthen our economy by supplying us with 
                renewable, energy-efficient, and environmentally 
                friendly resources that are the source of good jobs and 
                valuable products. The wood we get from forests is a 
                prime construction and manufacturing product that is 
                used to build our homes and many other essential 
                structures. Wood is also recyclable, biodegradable, and 
                serves as a raw material for many items we use and 
                enjoy every day, including paper, tissue, furniture, 
                packaging materials, musical instruments, and postage 
                stamps. The use of wood for biomass energy generation 
                derived from thinning projects conserves fossil fuels 
                and strengthens rural economies.

                In addition, our Nation's forests protect watersheds, 
                preserve water quality, help keep our air clean, and 
                provide habitat for our wildlife.

                To protect these vital natural resources, we must take 
                affirmative steps towards managing our forests better, 
                and we must work together to safeguard the health of 
                our forests. My Administration has developed the 
                Healthy Forests Initiative, which seeks to restore the 
                health of our woodlands and prevent forest fires 
                through a combination of thinning overgrowth and 
                restoring fire-damaged areas. For the safety of our 
                citizens, the good of our forests, and the prosperity 
                of our economy, we must make forest health a national 
                priority.

                Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring 
                our Nation's well-being, the Congress, by Public Law 
                86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the 
                week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each 
                year as ``National Forest Products Week'' and has 
                authorized and requested the President to issue a 
                proclamation in observance of this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 20 
                through October 26, 2002, as National Forest Products 
                Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

[[Page 65284]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-27193
Filed 10-22-02; 9:07 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P