[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 20699-20700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2067]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 25, 2007 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 20699]]


                Proclamation 8131 of April 20, 2007

                
National Park Week, 2007

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Americans take great pride in our country's natural 
                beauty, and our Nation is blessed to have a park system 
                of more than 80 million acres that belongs to us all. 
                During National Park Week, we underscore our dedication 
                to conserving these national treasures, and we pay 
                tribute to the dedicated employees and volunteers of 
                the National Park Service who care for them.

                Established in 1916, the National Park Service now 
                oversees a National Park System that has grown to 
                include almost 400 sites, with parks in nearly every 
                State. These parks protect beautiful landscapes, tell 
                important stories about our country's past, and 
                encourage our citizens to conserve our natural 
                environment and celebrate our national history. They 
                are places to learn, exercise, and spend time with 
                family and friends. Through her work with the Junior 
                Rangers and the National Park Foundation, First Lady 
                Laura Bush and others are working to expand access to 
                the riches of our parks.

                In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 
                National Park Service in 2016, my Administration has 
                launched the National Parks Centennial Initiative. The 
                initiative calls upon government, the private sector, 
                and our citizenry to share in an effort to help prepare 
                our parks for another century of conservation, 
                preservation, and enjoyment. We will work to enhance 
                park habitats, expand visitor services, increase 
                educational opportunities, implement new technologies, 
                and hire additional seasonal park rangers. By 
                maintaining and improving our park system, we can 
                ensure that our national parks will thrive for the next 
                100 years and beyond.

                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 29, 
                2007, as National Park Week. This year's theme is 
                ``Your National Parks: Explore, Learn, and Protect.'' I 
                invite all my fellow citizens to join me in celebrating 
                America's national parks by visiting these wonderful 
                spaces, discovering all they have to offer, and 
                becoming active participants in park conservation.

[[Page 20700]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-first. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 07-2067
Filed 4-24-07; 8:52 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P