[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 2006)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20517-20518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3866]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 77 / Friday, April 21, 2006 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 20517]]

                Proclamation 8002 of April 18, 2006

                
National Park Week, 2006

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In America's national parks, the magnificent beauty of 
                our country and important examples of our Nation's 
                cultural heritage are preserved and made available to 
                Americans and visitors from all over the world. Each 
                year, as we observe National Park Week, we underscore 
                our commitment to conserve our natural and historical 
                treasures and encourage more Americans to enjoy, learn 
                from, and protect these important parts of our 
                heritage.

                Our Nation has a long legacy of conservation. In 1872, 
                Yellowstone National Park became our country's first 
                national park, and more than four decades later, the 
                National Park Service was created. Today, the national 
                park system includes almost 400 sites, with parks in 
                nearly every state. From Yosemite National Park in 
                California to Acadia National Park in Maine, and from 
                Independence Hall to the Martin Luther King, Jr., 
                National Historic Site, America's national parks are 
                home to some of our Nation's most beautiful landscapes 
                and richest history.

                This year's theme, ``Connecting our Children to 
                America's National Parks,'' reflects the National Park 
                Service's commitment to encouraging young people to 
                enjoy outdoor recreation and better appreciate our 
                Nation's beauty and history. The National Park Service 
                Junior Rangers program develops interest in our 
                national parks by teaching children and their families 
                about the importance of the national park sites. Young 
                people can visit our national parks online by going to 
                the Junior Rangers website at www.nps.gov/WebRangers. 
                As Honorary Chair of the National Park Foundation, 
                First Lady Laura Bush helps raise awareness about 
                preservation of the parks and encourages support for 
                programs like the Junior Rangers. Through initiatives 
                like this, the National Park Service is promoting good 
                stewardship of the environment and appreciation of our 
                Nation's heritage.

                With the opportunity to live in America comes a 
                responsibility to ensure that our national parks remain 
                a source of pride, pleasure, and education for all our 
                citizens. During National Park Week and throughout the 
                year, we pay tribute to the employees and volunteers of 
                the National Park Service. For the past 90 years, these 
                dedicated men and women have worked to maintain and 
                enhance our national parks and to ensure that they are 
                preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 22 through April 30, 
                2006, as National Park Week. I call upon the people of 
                the United States to join me in celebrating America's 
                national parks and becoming active participants in park 
                conservation.

[[Page 20518]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 06-3866
Filed 4-20-06; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P